Activity: Discuss:
48 Part 1 Decisions About Parenting
The newest trends in technology can be
costly. This means technology may not be
equally available to everyone because not
everyone can afford it. When use of a certain
technology is commonplace, people who don’t
have access to the technology are left behind.
Although there are many advantages
to using the Internet, there are also
disadvantages. Information is not always
accurate or reliable. Posting photos and
personal information can attract the attention
of people who may be dangerous. Identity
theft, stealing another person’s identity for
financial gain, is another hazard. Anyone can
be a victim online, but children especially
need to be supervised.
Families must be careful to use
communication and entertainment technology
in moderation. Spending long hours in front
of a TV or computer screen takes time away
from other activities, such as doing physical
activities and spending time with family and
friends. Families must balance their time
among various activities.
Connecting Parents,
Children, and Society
Parents, children, and society all have
critical, interacting roles in the parenting
process. As you read through the following
information, look at Figure 2-17 to gain
understanding about these connections.
•
Importance of parents to children and
society. As part of the parental role,
parents provide for their children’s
needs. They nurture them and teach
children valuable skills needed by
adults. They also teach society’s values.
While fulfilling these responsibilities,
parents also prepare their children to be
responsible citizens for society.
•
Importance of children to parents and
society. Without any effort of their own,
children give meaning to the lives of their
parents. They help parents feel mature
and responsible. Children also impact
what resources (food, clothes, toys, or
services) parents may need from society.
From society’s view, children ensure
that society continues. They become the
workers and consumers that keep the
economy running. In addition, children
pass on society’s values and traditions to
the next generation.
•
Importance of society to parents and
children. In addition to expressing
gratitude for the role of parents in society
more often and directly, society informs
parents of the skills children need. It
provides support services for parents who
need them. Likewise, society provides
for children’s needs through community
resources and the media. When families
have problems that interfere with how
children grow and develop, society
intervenes on behalf of the children to
protect their rights. Society makes sure
that children have everything needed to
grow into mature, responsible citizens.
Society
Parents Children
Parents, Children,
and Society
2-17 Important consequences come from the
interacting roles of parent, child, and society in
the parenting process.