Equal Responsibility of Both Parents in Raising a Child - Research Paper Example

? Both Parent Should Assume Equal Responsibility In Raising Child al affiliation: Both Parent Should Assume Equal Responsibility in Raising Child Introduction Raising a child requires the responsibility and commitment of both parents. For the parents to ensure that they are fully taking responsibility of their children, it is necessary that they take their own responsibilities first. For instance they should have a clear foundation of love, trust and respect in themselves in order to transfer it to their children. Maturity and own security are two important virtues that both parents should possess in order for them to be responsible parents. These give them the ability to teach their children what is required of them so as to grow up as moral people in the society. When a focus is made to the biblical view of parents’ responsibility for their children, God prepares a place in their heart for the love and nurture of children. God builds a foundation for ones love as well as love for their spouse after which he lays a foundation for the love of their children. These foundations lay a good framework for parents’ responsibility for themselves and their children. It is through the efforts of both parents that a child becomes a true person. Parents offer the first education to their children even before the teacher comes in the child’s life. The child’s first impression of the world is created from the impression the child receives while still at home under their parents’ responsibility. Therefore it is advisable that parents present a better perception of life to their children according to Sclafani (2004). The only way through achieving this goal is ensuring that they take full responsibility of their children lives. For instance when the child goes to school the first time, he/she will perceive the teacher as he/she perceives his/her parents. If he is a male teacher then the child will perceive him the way he/she perceives his/her father. If she is a female teacher the child perception of the teacher is the same he/she perceives the mother. It is the responsibility of both parents to present what is right and connect it with love which is the foundation of a good family. It is through this parents love and responsibility that the child will be able to transfer the same in their families in future. Thus it can be argued that the issue of parents’ responsibility is a continuous aspect of live which never comes to a halt. According to Sonna (2006), it is important that parents take continuous responsibility until their children get married as marriage is regarded as the inheritance of love from both father and mother. Through their parents, children learn how to love themselves and others; it is through this they are able to develop love for their spouse in future. If the both parents never played their part better in taking care of this responsibility regarding love, then it is definite that the same will happen to the child’s life. This is because it is in receiving that we learn to give and this completes a responsible individual in the society. It is important that both parents take equal responsibility for their children. This idea can be attributed to the fact that raising children responsibly is among the difficult jobs. The issue of taking child responsibility today appears more complex due to the diminishing aspect of the extended families. In order to avoid the complexity, it is the responsibility of each of the two parents to play their roles in raising the child. For the mother responsibility begins immediately after conception. This is because she has to ensure good health of the unborn baby. In this case, the father’s responsibility for the unborn child is to ensure the mother’s health conditions are good and she takes good care of her. After the child is born the mother appears to be the closest parent compared to father due to breastfeeding. At this stage the father should also ensure that come into contact with the child. This is important as child at this age learns through touch. It is through their contact with their parents and the eye to eye communication that the children at the early stages learn about their parents. As noted by Rosemond (2006), as the child grows up the need for the two parents to tale equal responsibility increases. For instance, the mother has to ensure that she has the necessary meals for the children prepared. At the same time it is the father’s responsibility to ensure that they provide enough food for the family. The health of the children is another aspect that needs the responsibility of the two parents. The mother who spends most of the time with the child should teach them about hygiene by ensuring that the child knows how to take care of themselves. In as far as the father is concerned with the child’s health; he should ensure he provides balanced diet for the family. Both parents should take the responsibility of maintaining the child’s the emotional stability through appreciating them and being kind to them. This way the children are able to live a healthy life. Parents who shout at their children instill a feeling of fearfulness and contempt in their children making the emotionally disturbed. This is likely to cause ill health to children because they are not able to balance issues properly. Parents are also responsible for the discipline of their children. In the past it was entire community’s duty to enforce the child’s discipline according to the norms and values of the society. However, in the contemporary society things are a different and the custody of the child is left to their own parents as noted by Bourguignon (1999). Discipline is regarded as a long term issue which needs consistency, wisdom as well as commitment of both parents. The human nature always tends to leave what is morally right in favor of what is wrong. Therefore in understanding this aspect of human nature parents should ensure their children conform to what is right. This is ensured through taking corrective measure against any wrong thing that the child engages in. The issue of disciplining the child is goal for both parents and if one parent is against it, the goal want be achieved. Punishment is an inevitable aspect in the process of disciplining a child. Thus both parents should come up with a strategy of punishing their children for wrong doing. It is also the responsibility of both the father and the mother to ensure that their children access good education. This is because education is vital in developing the intellectual capacity of the child’s entire life. In this aspect the father who is responsible enough for their child should always be ready to provide school fees and other learning materials for the child. The mother should also take part, for instance she should make sure the children wake up early and go to the learning institutions. These responsibilities can also be assumed by both parents for quality education of their children. Both parents have a responsibility of checking the performance of their children at school. Parents should ensure that their children acquire sound education so that they may be able to tackle complex issues in the society. Thus all is done for the benefit of the child not necessary for the parents. There are certain skills a child needs to be taught, which take the responsibility of both parents according to Roberts and Sutch (2004). One of these skills is communication, it is important that both parents engage in good means of communication for the family. For instance, family meetings where each child is allowed to talk and listen to others are important for good parenting. Motivation skills are important to children as motivation helps them take live positively. It is the parents’ responsibility to encourage their children so they can persevere in life despite the many obstacles encountered. The parents can also motivate children through their actions. Both parents should try their best to provide for their children needs so that they can get motivated. Motivations can also be ensured through gifts for good performance and even congratulating them. Thus if parents take this responsibility of motivation their children, they instill into them a positive perspective of life. Decision making starts from childhood with deciding on the kind of friends to associate with. Both parents should equally participate in helping their children make wise decisions in life. This is achieved by ensuring that they teach them what is good and what is wrong. Time management is an important aspect which needs to be learned early in life. It is therefore the parents’ responsibility to teach the children how to manage time. If parents themselves value time like getting home early after job, their children learn the importance of time management. Conclusion It is thus important for both parents to take equal responsibility in raising a child as each parent has a role to play in the child’s life. The parents are the role model for their children and thus should ensure they perform their roles responsibly. Issues such as divorce highly affect the children as it leads to them lacking one responsible person with a distinctive role in their lives. References: Bourguignon,F. 1999. The cost of Children: May the collective Approach to Household Behavior Help? Journal of population Economics. New York, NY: Vol 12 p503 Roberts,P. & Sutch, P. (2004). An introduction to political thought: a conceptual toolkit. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Rosemond, J. (2006). The New Six-Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Children. The journal of Equal parents’ responsibility. Kansas: Andrews McMeel Publishing .vol8, p34 Sclafani,J. (2004). The educated parent: recent trends in raising children. The journal educated parents. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. Vol14, p157 Sonna,L.(2006). The everything parent's guide to raising siblings: eliminate rivalry, avoid favoritism, and keep the peace. The journal of Parents guide to raising siblings. Los Angeles: Everything Books.vol5, p56. Read More