Chapter 12 Blog

David Komorowski
Chapter 12 blog

Summary: In this chapter we look at contemporary parenting roles and factors that a parent has to face when dealing with their child—role conflict and strain in which frustration can arise as well as decreased authority, increased responsibility, high standards, etc. Mother/Fatherhood expectations and realities are also described. After this we look at the theories of child development which include Mead’s theory of Social Self, Cognitive Development Theory by Piaget and finally the Psychosocial Theory of Human Development by Erikson. All of these have their points and criticisms of which is right and wrong. Next we take a look at parenting variations by ethnicity and social class in which we look at the differences of parenting style between mostly Asian, African, Latin American and American families. Examples of this between races may be the amount of time read to a child in which Latin Americans are said to do this least compared to the previously listed racial groups. Juxtaposed to that is the social class aspect of parenting in which we look at how much money is enough to raise a child, living conditions, etc. We then look at the changes of parenting over life course in which demands increase/decrease along with the stress and fatigue of the parents. We also take a look at some myths—one being the more stimulation of the infant, the better—that many have about parenting (good or bad) along with looking at parenting teenagers and the empty nest syndrome parents have when all children move out. Parenting in gay and lesbian families is then briefly touched upon as we look at the characteristic on both ends of the spectrum; parents with gay children and vice versa. We take a look at parenting styles and discipline and which are the better of the authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved styles that parents exorcise with their children. Child care arrangements is then looked at as we discuss absentee fathers and what the emotional taken on the child when not having one as well as latch key children. Lastly current social issues and children’s well being is discussed as we look at the costs and benefits of several sources of media such as television and the internet and other living arrangements for children such as foster homes.

What I learned: I think one thing that really interests me is what also kind of scares me about becoming a parent which is the concept of role overload. I had never heard of this term before but think it really pertains to me as well as other people my age that don’t quite feel like adults. For those who do not know the definition of role overload is a feeling of being overwhelmed by multiple commitments which is found especially in employed parents. For example, an employed parent who has to work to support their child may also feel a small hint of guilt because they do not spend enough time with their child. Yet something that contradicts this is the overwhelming 75% of children 8 – 17 who think that their working parents have a positive impact on their children. I believe that this concept hits home especially for me. This is due to the fact that I grew up with four sisters and my dad was basically the only one who worked many hours to support us until he established a business and was able to work less/spend more time with us. I believe my dad always felt that he could have spent more time with all of us but I also guarantee that if one were to ask me/everyone of my sisters that we would all agree one hundred percent that we are proud and happy that our dad worked as hard as he did because we are much better off financially now—I can say this due to a bigger house as well as the fact that all of my sisters have a family of their own.

What could’ve been better? When speaking on what impacts a child’s well-being, I think that the book did completely miss one aspect of childhood that occurs and changes the lives of many children which is joining a governmental organization such as the military, army, navy, etc. I think that parents with little to no money may encourage their children to do something along those lines which have negative and positive consequences on children. The negative consequences are conformity of the child who may want to express themselves. Yet an organization like the army strive everyday to eliminate that notion in any of its members. Another obvious consequence that this can have is the death in battle that may happen to the child which puts an emotional toll of regret with the parents as well as a notion of being proud that their child served their country. Positive impacts this may serve this are discipline that the child may lack as well as taking the child out of a poverty stricken neighborhood in which their future most likely will hold jail time, drug dealing, or even death. I think that this is a small portion of what can be explained about the child joining an organization around the age of 18 (when/if they graduate high school) but that this should at least be considered in the chapter.