Arguably, the modern world has become very complex, especially when it comes to parenting. Parenting is a phenomenon, which is aimed at developing children or a child physically, psychologically, intellectually, as well as socially. The 21st century came with a lot of technological changes, of which it has affected various aspects of human life. The several stages of development and growth among children encompasses toddlerhood, adolescence, infancy, and middle childhood, whereby each one of it demands to change parenting needs, roles and stressors. Parenting in the modern world has become a controversial issue. As a matter of fact, Parents in the modern world have become more concerned with their jobs instead of concentrating on the upbringing of children. Conversably, modern parents have given a lot of freedom to their children, especially on issues to do with internet. Parenting in the past was directly linked to biological parents, in the modern world parenting has become complex. Generally, all aspect on parenting in the modern world has changed.
According to Renee, Mowder,& Mellisa, (2011) discipline and parenting is a topic that has been debated hotly in the past decades. Scholars assert that parenting in the modern world is the hardest task that is accompanied with passion and care. Being a parent in the contemporary society is a challenging job, with a lot of difficulties, but in the long run people come to love the task. Undeniably, parenting in the modern world is characterizes by technology, in the most activities that surround the parenting techniques are influenced by technology. Psychologists in the modern world often identify parents and parenting to be the crucial part of children’s development and growth (Modwar, 2005). It is a predictable phenomenon that children in the modern world and their parents are facing difficult moments as compared to the past. For example, many issues such as computer crimes, sexual assault as well as peer pressure are rampant. In this case, parenting becomes very important in giving children direction.
Parents in the modern world have become more concerned with their jobs instead of concentrating on the upbringing of children. Claire & Ciervo (2010) asserts that children in the modern world have become more independent putting their parents on a difficult position of whining, arguing, as well as repeating themselves daily. As a matter of fact, parents in the modern society have had their positions taken by social media and other institutions. In that, modern parents have no answers on the behaviors of their children. Parenting in this era, means being a parent in the modern society that is continuously, and rapidly changing. The good thing is that the rate of change among children is at par with modern technological changes. The big issues come up because parents are not up to date with modern technological advances. Modern parenting is associated with many confusing arrays events and technological output. Parents always worry on the gadgets their children use; therefore, they want to understand its effects. In the modern world, parents believe the gadgets, media and internet only serves as the entertainment kid.
Conversably, modern parents have given a lot of freedom to their children, especially on issues to do with internet. In fact, they believe that their children access things online that is within their teachings and norms of society, which in the real sense is not true. Parenting covers a wide scope in the life of children and other family members (Robb, 2012). This is because parents have control over educational, psychological, emotional and social aspects of the children. Parenting in the modern world is focused on prosperity and success of the children rather than children behavioral growth and development.
Issues such as insecurity and cell phones, internet have affected parenting in the modern world. Perhaps, the decisions made by parents are focused in tackling such issues and making their children succeed in life. Children in the contemporary society live healthier, promising as well as prosperous lives. This is because parents work hard to ensure that their parents are Always at the top. Undeniably, in every aspect of parenting in the modern world, money form the basis of everything (Renee, Mowder & Mellisa, 2011). Hence, as compared to the past the per capita income of parents today has tremendously increased, putting them in a position that can afford the luxurious life. For example, parents can afford to buy their children CDs, video games, computers, telephones, as well as television.
According to Coleman (1997) education labels of children in the modern world has improved. This is because parent s emphasize on education. Apart from the complexity and diversity of courses offered in school, modern most modern parents have decided to take their children into boarding schools. In the past parents could spend more time with their children, but the modern parenting styles reduces the contact between children and parents. Hence, peers, teachers, social sites on the internet, as well as media parent children in the modern world. Additionally, this aspect of minimal contact between children and parents, has converted teens to be an experiment in their entire life (Robb, 2012). Certainly, the freedom from modern parenting has led to increase in drug abuse and alcoholism among children. Parenting in the modern world set a bad example to the children; this is because children grow knowing that drug abuse and alcohol is not a big deal. According to Mowder (2005), parenting techniques entails responsibility, protection, bonding, general welfare, discipline and education, whereby it always varies according to children developmental stages. Parenting in the modern world skips or never adheres to these parenting issues.
Society is always changing, and so does the roles of children and parents. Parenting a child in the modern world socially, psychologically, and emotionally is difficult. In the modern world, it has come to the realization of parent s that the intellectual capabilities of children are far much better. Hence, they do not comprehend how to be involved with their children. Parents in the modern society have failed because they do not understand that wisdom not only come from books or online, but also from age. Children in the modern society grow so fast skipping various stages of development. In spite of the increase in these trends, modern parenting does not push for normal growth and development leading to immature intellectual growth (Robb, 2012).
Parenting in the past was directly linked to biological parents, in the modern world parenting has become complex. Media is the most influential aspect in the life of children, meaning it has overtaken the role of biological parents and become the parents to children. Media is a source of entertainment, guidance, and socialization for children. For example, children watch a lot of programs in the media and focus their life towards what they learn, of which most of it is fiction and unrealistic (Claire & Ciervo, 2010). Parents’ instead of being the example they leave all the parenting to media, whereby children will try to live and behave like those celebrities in the media. In this case, parents should be involved to the lives of their children; if they are not able to, then other, “parents” will take over.
Parenting in the modern world has become a controversial issue. Apart from variation of parenting philosophies, family breakups have become the norm. Some of the controversial philosophies include the way of disciplining children, religious believes, and general ways of child rearing. Parenting in the modern world cannot be easily comprehended; this is because most families have divorced. In fact, this scenario leads to single parenting, or to an extreme situation, children are left alone to take care of themselves. The eldest of the children in a family become the mother and the father of the other siblings (Modwar, 2005). In the past, it was cases of divorce were rarely witnessed. Additionally, in the modern society there are a lot of unplanned pregnancies, which may lead to abortion or single parenting.
Parenting in the modern world has been changed because the authorities have implemented a lot of policies and rules. Children were disciplined in many ways, either in church school or at home. In the modern world, authorities have ruled out various methods of disciplining children. In fact, in some occasions modern parents are afraid of disciplining the children in fear of authorities’ involvement on domestic issues. Parenting in the modern world has become complex leading to behavioral change among children and laxity in parenting roles. Technology is the main cause of these changes that have eroded the good parenting techniques. Parents in the modern world should become more involved with their children in various ways. Perhaps, media should not take all parenting role. The main role in parenting should be taken by parents. Parents should be able to impart the parenting skills from childhood, since the child will grow and be a parent.
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Claire, L., Ciervo, L. (2010). Parenting Young Children Today: What the research tell Us.
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Renee, S., Mowder, A & Mellisa, R. (2011). Parenting Beliefs, Parental Stress, and Social
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