Review article
Parenthood
Mirjana Pernar
; Department of clinical, medical and organizational psychology, CHC Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Mothers and fathers are often uneasy and anxious about bringing up children. In
the past, they looked up to grandmothers and other members of the previous generations
for answers to their questions about child upbringing. Nowadays, they are usually ask some
psychology or medicine specialists.
People tend to romanticize and idealize motherhood to such an extent that much unnecessary
anxiety and distress accompany the parental role for women. Fathers today are expected
to be more involved in child rearing. The egalitarian ethic refers to the cultural belief that
fathers and mothers should be equally responsible for their children.
There are different parenting styles and strategies such as authoritarian, indifferent, democratic
or permissive and all of them differently contribute the development of the child personality.
While bringing up the children, one must try to be aware of their developmental
readiness, that praises are more effective then punishments, not to put negative labels on
anyone, particularly on a child is very destructive because it attacks the self-concept, family
rules should be clear and constant, communication should be open and children should be
let to decide for themselves as log as the consequences will not be physically or psychologically
harmful. Myths that cloud reduces natural parents capacities are: brining up children is
fun, children are sweet and cute, and children will turn out well if they have good parents,
children improve marriage, and the nature of the child is not very important and other.
Keywords
egalitarian ethic; fatherhood; motherhood; parenthood; parenting myths; parenting style
Hrčak ID:
59248
URI
Publication date:
13.9.2010.
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