This essay will discuss parents as role models for their kids, and the direct effects they have on their kid’s behavior.
Role models are people who directly influence, and serve as a literal example for others (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). In regards to children, a child’s parents, and immediate family, are the strongest role models they can have - especially in the early years before they start school (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). A child’s immediate family can include, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). Overall, children look up to their strongest role models in order to determine what is right or wrong (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). Role models help shape the child’s behavior (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). As a child grows and starts attending school, other role models start to influence a child’s life (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). Some examples of these secondary role models are, teachers, other school kids, television personalities, video games, music, pop culture, magazines, and more (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). Both positive and negative role models influence children’s behavior (Facts for Families Guide, 2016).
According to the Raising Children Network, parents have a key influence in their child’s life, and have a direct impact on their behavior (Raising Children Network, 2016). A child’s behavior is governed by his, or her, long term attitudes, and beliefs (Raising Children Network, 2016). A child’s attitude and beliefs are formed from a young age, and often directly reflect the attitudes and beliefs of their parents (Raising Children Network, 2016).
In addition to this, how parent’s respond to their children’s behavior, can directly affect the child’s attitudes in the long term (Raising Children Network, 2016). For example, if a child hits another child, and the parents laugh and thinks it is a joke, then the child will continue this pattern of behavior because the parents have enabled the child to do so (Raising Children Network, 2016). The child might grow up to believe that physical assault is a joke, and can end up in trouble in adulthood (Raising Children Network, 2016). However, if a child is taught that physical violence towards another is unacceptable, then the child will learn that pattern of behavior is not acceptable (Raising Children Network, 2016). Furthermore, if there are consequences for displaying such behavior, then the child will soon learn that this type of behavior does not get him, or her, closer to what it is they want (Raising Children Network, 2016).
The parent’s role in their child’s life does not end with modelling right or wrong behavior (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). Other parental behaviors such as, eating patterns, exercise, sleep, education, achievements, and attitudes to work, all directly influence the child, and set’s the child’s expectations up for the future (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). For example, if a child’s parents have a negative attitude towards work, then a child will grow up thinking that work is a negative thing (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). As a result, they may struggle finding suitable employment, and, or, struggle finding pleasure in work (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). On the contrary, if a child’s parents are enthusiastic towards work, and enjoy what they do, that attitude will too rub off onto a child (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982).
Although the parental influence on their kid’s behaviour is strong, other beliefs and attitudes can be formed from other influences such as, teachers and peers at school (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). For example, a child may have a positive attitude when it comes to education, this attitude may have come from their parents enthusiasm and strong influence in this way (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). However, when a child start’s school, if they are involved within a group of peers who have the opposite attitude and belief towards education, the child has a chance to choose their attitude and beliefs towards the subject (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). If their peers are a stronger influence then the child may adopt a new behaviour in order fit in with their peers, though the behaviour is contrary to the behaviour modelled within the home (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982). In such cases, the parents should be aware of who and what is influencing their children, and speak openly to their child about their day in order to produce a stronger bond, and help the child make the right decisions for his, or her life (Parsons, Adler, Kaczala, 1982).
Other than listening to their children, parents can ask them some key questions in order to help them sort out the confusion (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). For example, parents can ask their children how they feel about their peer’s behavior, and attitudes (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). They can ask them whether or not they themselves think that it is right to behavior, and think in that way (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). This line of conversation, not only opens the channels for effective parent / child communication, but it also helps the child develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well when faced with troubling situations in adulthood (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). In this way, the parent is having a direct influence on their child’s behavior (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). They are encouraging positive behavior, teaching critical thinking, and problem solving skills, and creating a strong foundation on which the child can rely on (Facts for Families Guide, 2016). In essence, this creates trust between the parent and child, thus the parent remains the strongest influence and role model in the child’s life (Facts for Families Guide, 2016).
Conclusion
Parents have a direct influence on their child’s behavior which continues throughout their lives. Regardless whether a parent is a positive or negative role model, this will directly affect the child. If parents wish to remain the strongest role models within their child’s life, they need to re-enforce the behavior they wish to see by opening the channels of communication.
References
Anonymous. (2016). Parents as role models for teenagers | Raising Children Network. Raisingchildren.net.au. Retrieved 16 March 2016, from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/role-modelling.html
Anonymous. (2016). Role Models and Children. Aacap.org. Retrieved 16 March 2016, from https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-and-Role-Models-099.aspx
Parsons, J. E., Adler, T. F., & Kaczala, C. M.. (1982). Socialization of Achievement Attitudes and Beliefs: Parental Influences. Child Development, 53(2), 310–321. http://doi.org/10.2307/1128973
