Abstract This paper examines the problems children face upon the loss of a parent due to divorce or death. The paper provides a literature review which includes long-term studies on the effects of divorce on children. The paper further explains that these effects may include school problems, or more serious issues such as dropping out, drug use and crime. The author cites research that supports the view that the trauma of divorce for children is in some ways more complex and has wider developmental and psychological ramifications than the experience of death. Both death and divorce are extreme experiences in a child's life and both can have a wide range of native psychological and developmental repercussions.
From the Paper "The possible long-term impact of divorce can be seen in recent figures which show that children from broken homes are often more prone to drug addiction and the dependency on chemicals. A study by the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta states that, "... 75% of children/adolescents in chemical dependency hospitals are from single-parent families." (A Generation At Risk) The reason for chemical dependency among children from divorced homes can also be linked to the development of behavioral problems that can result for the effect of the loss of a parent. As a finding for the National Center for Health Statistics states: "1 out of 5 children have a learning, emotional, or behavioral problem due to the family system changing." (A Generation At Risk) "
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two articles that deal with child development after the death of a parent, emphasizing research methods and usefulness.
From the Paper "The death of a parent is a very traumatic experience for anyone, but when it occurs in childhood, the effects may be monumental. The world of the child is completely changed and this may take its toll emotionally, physically and psychologically. However, every child is different, thus reactions may vary depending on age, sex and characteristics of the surviving parent. The surviving parent may be very confused on how to best handle the situation. When looking for information, both scholarly journals and more simple web pages can be helpful."
Abstract This paper reviews information about the grieving process of parents who lose a child. Included is an overview of several different types of losses, including stillbirths, miscarriages, and SIDS. It includes statistics of child deaths and grief research.
From the Paper "The death of a child is one of the most tragic events that can enter a family's life" (Smith, 2004). Parents expect to outlive their children. It is the "norm" for the children to attend the parent's funeral, not the other way around. DeSpelder (2002) explains that "the death of a child represents the unfinished, the untimely loss of a potential future". Attitudes and trends towards death have changed immensely over the past century. In the past it was not uncommon for children to die at a young age. In fact, "Over half of the deaths in 1900 occurred among children age fourteen and younger" (DeSpelder, 2002.) Death rates have most definitely taken a turn as of late however. DeSpelder states that ?now, less than 2 percent of deaths occur among this age group [age fourteen and younger]? (2002)."
An essay of the contrasting ways that Christianity is portrayed in "The Second Death" by Graham Greene and "The Virgin and the Gypsy" by D.H. Lawrence.
Abstract This paper explores how writers Graham Greene and D.H. Lawrence both connect sexuality with Christian sin and shame in their works, "The Second Death" and "The Virgin and the Gypsy". The paper describes the forbidden passion of a young couple and their parents' intervention. The author states that Lawrence's story is sensual and poetic, while Graham's theme is metaphysical.
From the Paper "D.H. Lawrence and Graham Greene have each written stories concerned with Christian mores and parental approval, or rather disapproval. The parent in each story is clearly convinced that others are influencing their adult child's character and leading them astray. Each has forbidden their child from associating with certain people whom the parent believes are not of good Christian standing. Moreover, each child is clearly filled with passion for life and sexual exploration. Lawrence's story is far more sensual and poetically lustful than Greene?s, as his female character's sexuality is awakened. However, Greene's story, sketches a young man's sexual exploits and his last moments before death, his second death. Each author sets his story in a small country village."
Abstract This paper examines how single-parent households are common due to divorce, death of a spouse, the increased number of unmarried individuals raising children, and other socio-economic reasons. It explores how this gradual change in demographics over the years has greatly impacted the lives of children from all backgrounds and how one of these impacts has concerned the relocation of the custodial parent. It examines how this continues to be a much-debated issue that is not close to being resolved.
From the Paper "About 11 million children or 28 percent of all children under 18 live in homes with only one parent according to the Bureau of the Census. This is more than triple than that in 1960, although the increase has slowed. In about 85 percent of these single-parent households, the mother is custodian, although the number of father-only families more than doubled between 1980 and 1982. One of the major effects of single-parenting is the reduction in income. Married fathers earn the most, followed by single fathers and then single mothers. A large proportion of single mothers are either at or just above poverty rates. This significantly affects health and physical and mental well being."
Abstract The paper discusses how the environment in a home where there is a terminally ill parent is often significantly different than a "well" household. This is not only because this home has the paraphernalia associated with the ill, such as sick beds, pharmaceuticals, wheel chairs and the like. These factors cause tense situations that make all family members more stressful. The paper then discusses how children of terminally ill parents experience other frightening daily occurrences. The paper concludes that youth need assistance in dealing with death and grief in order to help them cope with the changes occurring in their lives.
From the Paper "Many children and families go this situation. According to national statistics, by the age of 15, over a million children in the United States will lose a parent to a terminal illness (Mahoney, 2005). Although numerous programs and resources are available to help those children who are grieving the death of a parent, there are few organized interventions to help families cope with their children's emotional needs during the parental illness and treatment, when help is especially needed."
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
