Comparison of Parental Changes in the Past and Today - Essay Example

Comparison of Parental Changes in the Past and Today al Affiliation Comparison of Parental Changes in the Past and Today There is a clear cut difference in the manner in which the children of today are raised compared to that of the olden days. In the olden days, our parents were extremely caring, stricter as increasingly concerned on a number of issues relevant to parenthood. However, in the current generation, the parents have become somehow less concerned and arguably less strict relevant to the issue of parenthood. In this manner, the children of today have been seen to be expecting too much compared to the children of old days (Cline and Fay, 2006). In connection to the above, it is critical to note that a number of examples are evident to show how the kids of today are being raised either differently or similarly compared to the olden days. The first example to employ in this discussion concerns the issue of rules, discipline and criticism. In the modern day, the children are being raised with considerably little rules. This translates to the children of today having less discipline as compared to the children of the old days. The little rules with which the children of today are raised stem from the fact that the government has been keen on passing several policies that ensure reduction of punitive measures against the children, terming them as child abuse (Cline and Fay, 2006). This has created a sense of intolerance to discipline amongst the children of today. In addition, the children of today have also been exposed to less criticism from parents. This also translates to lack of discipline amongst a great number of children of today. However, when it comes to the olden days, children were raised with very strict rules from the parents (Nelson, 2001). The parents used to criticize the children whenever they were wrong. This meant that the children of the olden days became increasingly tolerant to matters relating to discipline. This makes the children of the older days to become more disciplined compared to the children of today. The intolerance to discipline as observed amongst the children of today has instigated into them a variety of ill behaviors, including finding confidence in enjoying sex without guilt in their teen years (Cline and Fay, 2006). These are some of the behavioral atrocities that completely lacked in the children of the old days. It is of critical significance to note that the role of woman has considerably changed within the family over the past decades. Initially, women were viewed as people whose position was solely centered in the kitchen (Martin, 2012). The society never expected women to take active roles in politics, education, and business among other roles. Their major roles revolved around domestic chores. However, this has changed drastically with time (Martin, 2012). Today several women are active politicians, business ladies, as well as intellectual elite. Furthermore, more women hold several key positions in the government and majority have become even the breadwinners of their homes (Martin, 2012). It is critical to acknowledge the fact that such a change in women’s role is very healthy for the family. It is very good for the family since it proves that the women are not as weak as was earlier presumed. The emergence of women in workforce and their becoming bread winners has affected the family in several perspectives. It has led to enhanced development in a number of sectors within the society. In addition, emergence of women in the workforce has contributed towards increasing the family income thereby leading to changes in lifestyles as well as living standards (Wayne, 2007). It has also complemented the contribution pool within the family, whereby both the parents work and pool together their incomes. This is very significant in issues pertaining to development initiatives engaged by the family. Despite the change in role of the women in the family, it is important to note that the roles of men have also changed considerably. This is in respect to two distinct generations, one being the past generation and the current generation. In the previous generation, the roles of males revolved around disciplinary issues, as well as being the breadwinner in the family (Lamb, 2010). In addition, the issue of nurturing was solely left to the women as it was unheard of on the side of men. However, in the current days, things have changed dramatically. The issue of being a breadwinner for the family can either be taken by both parents if not a single parent regardless of gender. As such, women have also become breadwinners in some families as opposed to men (Wayne, 2007). Males have been increasingly embarking on nurturing their children as opposed to the old generation (Lamb, 2010). In addition, the males have also embarked on the domestic chores including cooking for the families, washing utensils, doing laundry as well as cleaning the houses as opposed to the old days. In the modern world, more couples are choosing not to get married. This is very different from the past. In the past, marriage was much respected institution and everybody yearned to marry or get married at one point. People valued marriages for a number of reasons, involving enjoyment, raising families, sharing happy moments with loved ones, among others (Martin, 2012). However, these have changed in the modern days. Currently, a number of couples are having difficult moments maintaining their marriages owing to the unmet requirements. A number of couples have found that it is very challenging to maintain the commitment, time as well as energy required in marriage (Wayne, 2007). In addition, other financially stable couples may perceive their mates as exploiting them financially, thereby opting not to get married. Furthermore, a number of couples also fear facing direct responsibilities, thereby opting to remain unmarried. However, this is very dangerous to the family in a number of ways. Such can always present several domestic challenges to the family. It is important to acknowledge the fact that non-traditional families are becoming the new norm in the United States. Traditional families composed of the mother figure, father figure as well as the baby or babies. Non-traditional families are where children are raised by single parents, either occasioned by circumstances or choices by the parents (Nelson, 2001). In traditional families, the children got the absolute love from all the parents. As such, the families were complete and had great sense of psychological strength. However, in the non-traditional families, the children are not accorded the absolute love from the two parents. Non-traditional families also have some elements of psychological weaknesses and challenges that may affect the children, as well as the parents (Nelson, 2001). This may be in relation to the thoughts of the circumstances that may have precipitated the separation of such couples, whether by choice or circumstances. In case any non-traditional family emerged through separation emanating from selfish interests, violence, mistrust and infidelity, such may ring into the minds of the children as well as their parents in certain ways (Nelson, 2001). This may create a sense of psychological weakness in such families as opposed to the traditional families. References Cline, F. & Fay, J. (2006). Parenting teens with love and logic: Preparing adolescents for responsible adulthood. Lamb, M. E. (2010). The role of the father in child development. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. Martin, T. (2012). Reassessing the roles of women as makers of medieval art and architecture. Boston: Brill. Nelson, A. N. (2001). Non-traditional families: Their impact on our children. San Jose, Calif: Writers Club Press. Wayne, T. K. (2007). Womens roles in nineteenth-century America. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Greenwood Press. Read More