(Raising children)
Summary:
- The chapter begins with discussing the contemporary parenting roles that have evolved in this society over time. Just as a child is born, so is a parent. The adult has to learn all the rules of becoming a parent so they can efficiently take care of their child. The rewards and difficulties of parenting vary in each and every way. But one of the hardest difficulties a parent goes through is role conflict: this is when separate roles collide with each other and cause extreme strain and stress among the person/parent. These roles differ between mother and father in interesting ways. Myths that state mothering comes naturally is said to cause great strain to females when they face adversity or hardships when first taking care of their child. While fathers may have to deal with balancing and choosing their fragmented roles which include breadwinner fathers, autonomous father and involved fathers.
- Mead's has a social self theory that states "as a child matures, he or she understands the role of the generalized other, or people who done have close ties to the child but who influence them." Piaget's cog development theory focused on the growth of a child effort to understand his or her world and how they play an active role in learning. Erickson's psychosocial theory concentrated on the "entire lifespan rather than just childhood."
- Parenting across racial ethnic families was discussed along with social class (socioeconomic status) and how they both effect the environment as well as the cultural awareness that a child comes to learn obtain in their years.
- The book continues to discuss the ideology of parenting pertaining to the relationship a parent has to their child. Daily interactions & parent-child (and vice versa) inputs are vital to a healthy relationship. But as time tells us, children change as they grow up; teenagers. They are notable contenders with their parents as this age range since they feel they want to be more independent. This also changes when children leave the home and the 'empty nest' theory coems into play, but it takes another left turn when/if the children come back as grown adults and request to live with the parents again. This brings many difficulties to the household even if it is for a temporary stay. The chapter continues with discussing the different discipline styles each parent can play and how they differ in the child's growth and maturation.
- "Depression is said to be higher among economically disadvantaged mothers than higher income mothers because of the stresses of poverty and unhappy relationships." This was surprising to me because i didn't think that poverty had such an effect on one's view of happiness. I know it effects your attitude, but ones true happiness shouldn't be a pure reflection on your current circumstances because those circumstances can always change. It should be a factor, but not the core of happiness. That is just my opinion though.
Question:
- Do you think that unhappy relationships are more prevalent in poor households just because of their economic state, or are they more or less prevalent in rich/wealthy households too?
I think relationships in poor households can have more households that tend to be unhappy. However, when you talk about certain races as we've learned in previous lectures families tend to be extended and receive large amounts of support from outside forces (ie Aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc.) So just because the couple is poor doesn't necessarily mean that they have to be unhappy. Many couples who do live in poorer households receive assistance from family members, community and the government (even though we know the government doesn't do as much as they should). A lot of times, I personally don't see relationships struggle because of money in poorer households, but rather because of other issues. However, if a couple is say lower middle class then they might struggle because they're in a sort of limbo state. Personally, my parents struggle financially which affects their relationship and our family, and we would be considered a middle class family. I think middle class families will probably struggle because they tend to support the relationship/family by themselves whereas poorer households probably have more help within their families, community, etc.
ReplyDeleteI feel that it is more prevalent in wealthy households. I say this because in that household there is most likely to be one breadwinner. The breadwinner usually provides the family with a strong economic foundation. Like the chapter said, the breadwinner expects the counterpart to provide all the domestic duties. This creates an unfair balance in the workload of the house and creates unhappiness. Poor couples usually both work and share the workload and it may bring their families closer. In a wealthy household the family may be split because the children may be closer to the more domestic parent.
ReplyDeleteI think that unhappy relationships occur regardless of ones economic state. I do believe that one's wealth impacts the relationship to a point, but you determine your happiness by choosing how to deal with your situation, whether you are a millionaire or are living in poverty. You make your own happiness/destiny and it's all about how you react or are able to cope with life.
ReplyDeleteBrian Bitner
I agree with Brian. Unhappy relationships are ultimately the result of the connection/relationship between the two parties. If you have a positive outlook and you are just happy to be with your significant other, I don't think economic status plays a major role. It no doubt plays a role but when you're secure in your relationship and you truly want to be with that person, you'll put less of an emphasis on economic status.
ReplyDeleteI believe that couple can either be happy as rich or completely poor. For example many wives in wealthy neighborhoods could want more money just to be like their neighbors which shows unhappiness. So I do not think money is the causing factor amongst unhappy couples but it definitely helps. One cannot ignore that economic stress deteriorates families especially when it comes to poverty stricken families. I don't think money buys happiness but I do believe it can prevent stress and anxiety amongst families.
ReplyDelete