Abstract Through a review of relevant literature, this paper discusses how parenting guidelines are particularly beneficial to members of immigrant communities, as these communities face the unenviable task of maintaining old and beloved family traditions while simultaneously borrowing and adapting the methods and practices of the new culture. In particular, the paper examines the immigrant Hispanic community in the US and attempts to prove that a setting down of concrete parenting techniques (communication, conflict resolution, and the like) will benefit this community enormously and help alleviate the tension that arises when two cultures meet. The articles and books reviewed are arranged thematically.
Outline:
Summary of Research Problem, Purpose and Thesis
General Books and Studies on Parental Discipline
Books and Studies on Hispanic Parenting Issues and Techniques
Conclusion
From the Paper "This compilation of articles (all authored by prominent social scientists) attempts to arrive at an understanding of the mammoth topic of Hispanic psychology. Some of the topics are irrelevant to the thesis, but the studies in part one are crucial, as they (like Vasquez' study) study the process of Hispanic acculturation. Buriel and Rueschenberg's "Mexican American Family Functioning and Acculturation: A Family Systems Perspective" is particularly useful here, as the article, through a series of case studies, analyzes the internal structure of the Mexican family and its interactions with the new culture. Like Vasquez, the two authors conclude that success at acculturation is directly related to the functioning of the Hispanic family. "
Abstract This paper explains that getting a divorce from one's parents is an extension of the principle that children are legally competent to identify their own best interests in major decisions such as issues regarding education, abortion and foster care. The author points out that the child should have to show proof that he or she has tried counseling and available services for reconciliation and resolving the conflict before seeking a divorce. The paper argues that the child's basic rights take precedence over competing claims and considerations, are self-authenticating and are not based on duties: Parents do not have a fundamental right to determine the course of their child's life.
From the Paper "The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by every country except the United States and Somalia. The U.S. and Somalia refused because they though it was too radical and that the Convention was hostile to the rights of parents. Canada, however, did sign in 1990 and then undertook at all levels of government to abide by its entitlements. Critics point out, and it's true, that the Convention subverts absolute parental authority over their children. Opponents cry it will lead to child anarchy, but the idea that parents own their children has eroded in recent years, and the Convention found it to be paternalistic."
Abstract This paper presents an explanation of the conflict theory of social problems and social interaction, with examples of how conflict theory often marginalizes minority groups in U.S. society.
From the Paper "The conflict theory of social problems and social interaction presupposed the existence in any and all societies of dominant groups and institutions which employ coercive power to impose their values upon others. In light of such dominant-minority group relations, stability in society is brought about because of the needs of the dominant groups to maintain social arrangements that are in their best interest. In conflict theory, both conflict and change are defined as essential features of social life. Conflict theorists often expand on Marx's insights about struggle..."
Tags: social values, conflict, resource distribution, Marx, gay marriage, single-parent households, class stratification, minorities, elites
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that the issue of determining the best parenting styles is a consistent topic among psychologists, parents, physicians and other professionals. The writer points out that typically parents desire to raise their children to be productive members of society and provide them with the essentials of life that will allow them to grow into healthy and confident human beings. The writer then discusses that when the parent is addicted to a particular substance the concern for that individual's parenting style is of even greater concern. The writer maintains that the effectiveness of the parenting styles of substance abusers can only be measured by the children of these individuals and the impact that the substance abuse has had on their lives. The writer concludes that when it is apparent that children of substance abusers are significantly more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol, become sexually promiscuous or live deviant lifestyles than children of non-abusers, it would appear that the parenting styles of substance abusers are insufficient.
From the Paper "The purpose of the study was to focus on the parenting of the mothers and fathers that raised these individuals, in comparison to the parenting styles of the addicts that participated in the study. The researchers found that all of the addicts that were evaluated believed that they were better parents of their own children than their parents had been to them. The researchers also found that in each case the addict felt a closer emotional connection to his or her mother and believed that the mother had been the primary caregiver in the home. However, of the addicts surveyed it was discovered that almost all of the parents that raised the individuals had a substance abuse problem involving alcohol."
"In relation to their own children the addicts believed that they were more stable and that they provided a better environment than their own parents."
Abstract This paper discusses that parental intervention in a child's education is important, irrespective of the parents' qualifications or financial status. The paper states that parental intervention in a child's education promotes growth of students and can be promoted by designing programs. The paper recommends that elementary school authorities should review the requirements of students in consultation with their parents and that parents should feel comfortable to communicate with the teachers. The paper concludes that parental involvement in elementary schools can be achieved only if it is legally mandatory and that governments should institute policies that call for equal participation of parents, teachers and elementary school authorities.
From the Paper "Parental intervention in a child's education is important irrespective of the parent's qualification or financial status. Parental involvement promotes academic, emotional and social growth of students. It is beyond doubt that a child who dedicates more time for homework will perform well at school. A well completed homework enables a student to learn systematically. It will also reflect in the character of the child. Involvement in a child's home work enable parents to keep in pace with the lessons at school and know more about the performance of a child. This will also help them to communicate with their teacher in the case of poor performance or absence on a day. Other than homework, parents can teach children to spend their leisure time in a fruitful manner. They can advice children to engage in reading rather than spend time to watch television. Parental involvement in children's studies gives room for conversation. Parents can indulge in positive conversation by giving advice on good behavior and values which will evolve good character in a child. Parents can instill interest in a child's learning. Involvement of family in a child's learning thus influences the child's character and ability throughout life. The success of parent assisted children will be one step ahead of those who are deprived of it."
Abstract The paper discusses how psychologists know what parenting practices are most effective and which are most likely to lead to positive outcomes for children. The paper reviews four different parenting styles, shows which method is most effective, and explains why the other methods should be avoided in order to avoid detrimental consequences to the child's future.
Outline:
The Authoritarian Parent Style
The Permissive Parenting Style
The Uninvolved Parenting Style
The Authoritative Parenting Style
Reflections From My Childhood
My Personal Parenting Style and How I Put it into Practice
Conclusion
From the Paper "The uninvolved parent is low in both demandingness and responsiveness. In extreme cases, this parenting style might encompass both neglecting and rejecting parents, which could be very damaging to the child, although most parents of this type fall within the normal range (Baumrind, 1991).Children whose parents are uninvolved are uninvolved tend to perform poorly in most domains of social competency, academic performance, psychosocial development and problem behavior. "
Tags: children parents social competency academic performance, psychosocial development
Abstract This paper finds evidence that children raised in single-parent families can achieve the same level of well-being as those raised in two-parent families. The author points out that so-called "single-parent families" often have other family members or partners substituting for the missing parent.
From the Paper "When compared to the nuclear family, single parent households are just as capable of raising healthy well-adjusting children. Despite much evidence to the contrary, the effect of living in a single parent household does not necessarily have a ..."
Tags: Single-parent, two-parent, family configuration, well-being, achievement, delinquency
Abstract This paper explains that the job of parenting is both rewarding and demanding and then looks at ways for improving parenting skills. The paper includes parenting tips and tricks as well as a discussion on improving children's socialization and coping skills.
From the Paper "According to Kim Selzman, writing in "Woman's Day", being a parent can be a joy but it's also a tough job. Nobody is perfect and every parent makes mistakes. Children require a lot of time and energy so being a good parent means that parents must take care of themselves physically. Selzman adds that everyone needs a break from being a parent once in a while. If someone is a single parent they can and should find friends or relatives to help them get some time for..."
Tags:Parenting skills, tips for parents, caregiving, improving childrens socialization and coping skills
Abstract This paper discusses overprotective parenting and how parents who take their responsibilities too far and are overconcerened for their child's welfare can actually stifle the child's growth. This author takes an in-depth look at the causes and consequences of overprotective parenting, and examines a possible solution for the problem of overprotective parents.
From the Paper "Children are so small and delicate when they are born that parents cannot help but feel protective of their little bundles of joy. Because they brought the child into the world, they feel that they must look out for him or her. This is a natural and healthy response to a new baby.
However, as the child grows, so does their need for independence. This is where the role of a parent gets tricky. Many parents take their guardian roles too far. They have the best intentions, in most cases, as they aim to shield their children from harm. However, they smother their child, preventing them from fulfilling their needs for freedom and growing up."
Abstract This paper explorers the popular television sitcoms subject of parenting and family life, through the shows "Roseanne" and "Everybody Loves Raymond". It discusses the diverse image of a "typical" family as the shows portray different ideas of the relationship between parents and their children, while at the same time, both sets of television parents are completely dedicated to their family lives and placing their children before everything else.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
About the Sitcoms
Family Roles
Good Parenting Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Roseanne and Dan are two working class Americans who struggle with raising a family and holding their marriage together simultaneously. Roseanne works in the service industry and Dan is a building contractor. While they are the parents of three teenagers and a baby, they do not have all the answers.
Ray and Debra are the parents in a middle-class, suburban family. He's a sportswriter and she's a full-time mother. The couple has twin toddlers and a 6-year-old. The show places less emphasis on the kids and more emphasis on how Ray and Debra deal with their lives, which is important because a crucial aspect of parenting is maintaining one's own life. "
Abstract An examination of the pros and cons of parental involvement in the elementary school system, looking at how parents can help their children by becoming involved, while supporting the school and the community. The author shows how parental involvement is a controversial issue. Although findings show that parental involvement in the child's educational activities can be a positive and helpful experience, involvement can also be detrimental, and too personal or emotional involvement may actually hinder the educational process.
From the Paper "Parental involvement in the elementary school system is not a new idea. When fewer women worked outside the home, it was more common for mothers to spend time volunteering in their child's classroom, or help them with homework after school. Today, many educators and experts feel that parental involvement, especially in the elementary grades, can be beneficial for the children and the teachers, but too much of a good thing can also be detrimental to the classroom. Studies have also shown that parental involvement today is often based on the income level of the family, as lower income level parents are less likely to volunteer in the classroom, or become as involved in their child's education."
Abstract This paper explores whether policy endogeneity partially explains the negative relationship generally reported between parental involvement laws and abortion rates, since parental involvement laws are found to be negatively related to both teen and adult abortion rates. Since parental involvement laws may be more likely to be passed in jurisdictions with a higher level of anti-abortion sentiment, both the laws and anti-abortion sentiment may be responsible for lower abortion rates. To explore this possible interrelatedness, a religiosity-level variable was used as a proxy for anti-abortion sentiment, since anti-abortion sentiment might affect abortion rates directly and indirectly through the greater likelihood of the enactment of parental involvement laws.
From the Paper "The relationship of parental involvement laws and religiosity level to abortion rates was analyzed for teens and adults; regressions were estimated for four age groups: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 years old. Residence county-level 1995 abortion rates were regressed against parental involvement laws and religiosity levels as well as several control county-level variables--restrictive public funding, unemployment rate, population density, percent of college graduates, extent of poverty, percent of married-couple families, and geographic region. The sample consisted of the 1,008 counties from the 17 states that reported abortion numbers by county and by age group."
Tags: abortion, involvement, laws, parental, rates, research, study
Abstract This paper takes a look at each of the psycho-social aspects of development in children and discusses whether these developmental aspects are negatively impacted when a child is raised by gay or lesbian parents. The paper concludes from the literature reviewed that children raised by homosexual parents develop emotionally, socially, and psychologically, in much the same way as children raised by heterosexual parents.
Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents Sexual Identity
Other Aspects of Personal Development
Social Relationships
Attitudes toward Gay and Lesbian Adoptions
From the Paper "In studies of children ranging in age from 5 to 14, results of projective testing and related interview procedures have revealed normal development of gender identity among children of lesbian mothers. More direct assessment techniques to assess gender identity have been used with the same result; all children in this study reported that they were happy with their gender, and that they had no wish to be a member of the opposite sex. There was no evidence in any of the studies of gender identity difficulties among children of lesbian mothers."
Abstract This paper discusses types and benefits of parental involvement in their children's education. It examines the role of parents either schooling their children at home, or sending them to a school. The different forms of parental involvement are looked at, as well as the impact of parental involvement on academic achievement of children.
From the Paper "The traditional images of an involved parent working with a child's school are those of the Parent-Teacher Association PTA member, the bake-sale mom and the parent who helps out in the school ..."
Abstract This paper explains the importance of parents in the process of child development. It examines the studies that indicate that poor parental guidance and attitudes within the family can have a devastating effect on the child's development in all areas, including cognitive, social adaptation and general mental and physical health. It further points out that many reports indicate a decline in contemporary society of parental guidance as well as in the traditional family structure. The paper concludes that this has lead to a further realization of the importance of the cooperation of parents, teachers, schools and other institutions in the development and education of the child.
From the Paper "However, there is a related point of view which states that while the above statement may be theoretically true there are many areas and ways in which this is not quite the golden age for children. These include aspects that detract from positive child development such as limited resources, financial aspects, lack of parental involvement and the evident dissolution of the nuclear family with high rates of divorce and marital problems that might impact negatively on the child. Some experts even go so far as to state that in reality this is also the worst of times in some respects for children."
