Why Parenting?

Parenting; what a sacred obligation! It is sad to see how many families, households, and relationships are being thrown out the window in todays world. Are parents taking their roles in the family seriously? What are their roles? I would mainly like to talk about the roles of parents in the world we live in today. Michael Popkin said that the purpose of parents are "to protect and prepare children to survive and thrive in the world in which they will live." Parents can help their children to do this in many different ways and parenting styles. There are two very distinct parenting styles that parents need to try and avoid. They are authoritarian and permissive parenting. Authoritarian parenting is manipulating, controlling, and getting cooperation through fear and coercion. Permissive parenting lacks strength and structure. Neither of these techniques are healthy for the children. They learn to see life through a different lens and filter. Children need to be given contact so that they feel like they belong, responsibility, protection up to a point, and challenges. All of these in healthy measure is a great way for children to grow and develop.