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Questions and Answers
What characterizes contemporary parenting according to family scholars?
According to the nature proponents, what is a key belief regarding human behavior?
How is childhood described in terms of societal perception?
What impact does the transition to parenthood have on families?
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Who is associated with the belief that humans are born as a 'blank slate'?
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What did Wyness observe about the experiences of teenage children in Mexico?
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How many child soldiers are estimated to be actively involved in fighting worldwide?
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What was one of Ruth Benedict's observations about children in Samoa?
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What change in mothers' roles in the 1980s influenced perceptions of good parenthood?
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What did Philippe Aries suggest about childhood during medieval times?
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What characteristic of children was emphasized in the 1980s that influenced how mothers were perceived?
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How has the concept of 'good parenting' shifted in the 2000s?
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Which of the following contributed to the emergence of childhood according to Aries?
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What criticism has been levied against Aries' work on the concept of childhood?
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What does the term 'intensive mothering' refer to?
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According to Annette Lareau, which parenting approach is similar to intensive parenting?
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How has the understanding of childhood evolved in Western society?
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What was a significant societal change related to the idea of romantic love?
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What historical development contributed to the emergence of intensive parenting norms?
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What does the deprivation hypothesis proposed by John Bowlby suggest?
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Which of the following is a criticism of intensive parenting styles?
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What does intensive parenting ideology primarily assume about parents?
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How has neoliberalism influenced parenting advice?
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What aspect of parenting has become more emphasized by experts in recent years?
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Which challenge do low-income families face with respect to intensive parenting?
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What implication arises from the shift towards a highly child-centered approach to parenting?
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How do mothers and fathers typically differ in terms of time spent on childcare tasks?
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What is a critical aspect of the brain development thesis?
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What societal trend is observed regarding fathers' involvement in parenting over recent decades?
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Which issue is associated with over-parenting?
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What does the current understanding of good parenting imply regarding resources?
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What characterizes the parenting styles of less-privileged mothers compared to middle-class parents?
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What challenge do middle-class parents report in relation to intensive parenting?
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What emerges as a major concern attributed to intensive parenting practices?
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What has become a central expectation of parents in Ontario's Early Years Centres?
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Study Notes
Parenthood and Childhood
- The transition to parenthood is a significant life change for families, presenting a blend of joyous and stressful experiences.
- Parenting expectations have expanded, impacting both home and work life.
- Contemporary parenting styles are often characterized as “intensive parenting” and "concerted cultivation," highlighting the heightened focus on child rearing.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate
- John Locke, advocating the nurture perspective, argues that humans are born with a "blank slate" and acquire knowledge and language through experience.
- Charles Darwin's theory of evolution provides the foundation for the nature perspective, suggesting genetic influence on human growth and behavior.
- The debate explores the intricate relationship between innate predispositions and environmental factors in shaping human development.
Historical Development and Social Constructions
- The concept of childhood is socially constructed, with societies interpreting and defining the stage in diverse ways.
- Parenting practices and childhood experiences vary significantly across cultures.
- Michael Wyness found that in Mexico, teenage children often engage in domestic employment, highlighting differing societal views on child labor.
Historical Development and Social Constructions cont'd
- Amnesty International (2007) reports the presence of approximately 300,000 child soldiers globally.
- Ruth Benedict (1955) observed variation in childhood practices in Samoa, Tikopia, and among Australian Aborigines.
- These findings emphasize the social and cultural influence on the definition and experiences of childhood.
Historical Development and Social Constructions cont'd
- Philippe Aries (1973) argues that a distinct concept of childhood did not exist in medieval times.
- Children were viewed as diminutive adults, integrated into adult activities and social life.
- Medieval society lacked a clear distinction between childhood and adulthood.
Historical Development and Social Constructions cont'd
- The emergence of childhood is associated with the introduction of toys, clothes specifically for children, and the development of formal schooling.
- These developments separated children from the adult world and fostered a distinct identity for childhood.
Criticisms of Aries
- Aries' work has been criticized for its emphasis on the non-existence of childhood in the past, with other sources suggesting that childhood existed but was understood differently.
- Critics argue that his work overgeneralizes and lacks nuance in its historical analysis.
Changing Attitudes to Children
- The rise of romantic love and the influence of thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau transformed understandings of childhood.
- Western society has witnessed a shift in the perception of childhood, recognizing adolescence as a distinct life stage and recognizing the extended dependency of children.
- This changing understanding has led to evolving expectations of good parenting.
Changing Attitudes to Children cont'd
- In the 1980s, mothers’ increased participation in the workforce led to evolving expectations of parenting, viewing employed mothers as positive role models.
- The 2000s shifted to perceiving mothers’ paid work as potentially conflicting with children’s well-being.
- “Good parenting” has become more child-centered and intensive over the past decades.
Intensive Parenting
- Sharon Hays coined the term “intensive mothering” to describe the heightened attentiveness and focus on child development expected of mothers.
- This intensive parenting often clashes with expectations for mothers’ participation in the workforce.
- Annette Lareau’s research (2002, 2003) revealed the concept of “concerted cultivation” among middle-class parents, mirroring intensive parenting.
Intensive Parenting cont'd
- Intensive parenting expectations have become a dominant model in Western societies.
- The historical roots of intensive parenting can be traced back to the mid-twentieth century, influenced by theories of maternal deprivation and attachment.
- This model emphasizes the significance of the mother-child bond and the potential for long-term consequences of disruptions in this relationship.
Intensive Parenting cont'd
- The postwar era's prosperity, medical advancements, and a shift in child-rearing advice literature amplified the focus on children's psychological and emotional well-being.
- The distinct needs of mothers and children were increasingly portrayed as being opposed rather than complimentary.
Neoliberalism and Risk Culture
- Neoliberalism emphasizes individual responsibility for success, influencing the cultural acceptance of parenting as a form of “planning" for children's future.
- Child-rearing advice literature has increasingly focused on potential risks to children and parents' duty to manage them, further intensifying the focus on the child.
- The threshold for acceptable risks to children has significantly decreased.
The Brain Development Thesis
- Brain development proponents argue that parents can influence the wiring of their children's brains, and therefore their future potential, through early and appropriate cognitive stimulation.
- This theory builds upon attachment theory, emphasizing the importance of responsive parental attention for building secure attachment.
- Parental involvement in a child's school life is now seen as a key component of effective parenting.
The Brain Development Thesis cont’d
- The implementation of early years centers and initiatives like "Years Before 5" reflect the influence of this thesis, highlighting the emphasis on early childhood development.
- Despite criticisms, the brain development advice has gained popularity in the media and among parenting educators.
- Concerns are emerging about the possible negative consequences of excessive parental attention, suggesting a potential for decreased resilience in children.
Over-Parenting and Building Resilience
- There is growing concern about the potential for raising a generation of highly stressed and over-scheduled children lacking the necessary independence and resilience for adulthood.
- The term “helicopter parenting” describes a style of parenting characterized by excessive involvement and intervention.
- Finding a balance between “under-parenting” and “over-parenting” is essential for fostering resilience in children.
Gender and Parenting
- In heterosexual two-parent families, mothers typically spend more time than fathers on childcare and housework.
- In 2015, mothers in Canada were responsible for approximately 60% of household work and two-thirds of childcare tasks.
- This disparity is influenced by gendered differences in wages and employment opportunities, workplace cultures, and cultural understandings of gender roles.
Gender and Parenting cont’d
- Cultural norms often portray mothers as naturally more nurturing parents than fathers.
- Intensive parenting expectations disproportionately target mothers over fathers.
- Fathers are often viewed as primary breadwinners with parenting as a secondary role.
- Recent decades have seen progress in increasing father involvement in housework and childcare.
Inequality and Intensive Parenting
- Intensive parenting assumes readily available time, financial resources, and supportive networks, an ideal that is challenging for low-income families to achieve.
- The intensive parenting model is considered a middle-class ideal, often unattainable for families with limited resources.
- Less privileged mothers often prioritize survival strategies for their children due to the realities of limited opportunities and resources.
Inequality and Intensive Parenting cont’d
- Research by Nelson (2010) noted variations in parenting styles between professional middle-class and less-privileged parents.
- While intensive parenting is not realistic for all families, it continues to set the standard for good parenting, particularly for mothers.
- Middle-class parents may experience increased stress, burnout, and mental health challenges due to the demands of intensive parenting.
Conclusion
- Contemporary parenting is shaped by neoliberal ideologies, emphasizing individual responsibility and control over life outcomes.
- It is crucial to acknowledge the complexities of parenting, recognizing the challenges and the influence of structural barriers on both parents and children.
- Shifting toward policies that prioritize social responsibility for child outcomes could improve parenting support and child well-being.
- Canadian parenting today is highly child-centered and intensive, requiring substantial time, energy, and resources.
- The evolution of parenting culture has implications for cultural expectations and the dynamics of parent-child relationships.
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Description
Explore the complexities of parenthood and childhood, focusing on the transition to parenthood and modern parenting styles. Delve into the nature vs. nurture debate, examining perspectives from John Locke and Charles Darwin, and how social constructs shape our understanding of childhood.
