WORKS CITED
blogs.abcnews.com/
theblotter2006/07/
report_says_fed.html
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Teen Pregnancy
Teen Pregnancy
So many personal struggles are different to each individual person, as the saying goes, “to each its own.” A topical issue that is at hand in today’s society is teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is now becoming a prominent factor in today’s growing America. . I do not agree that teen pregnancy is becoming an “acceptable” factor in today’s growing America. It is evident to me more and more that this issue is slowly becoming part of a normalcy, after being brought to my attention (Gulli). I had never thought that teen pregnancy was such a big issue, and how common it was, until after the fact I had become pregnant myself and it had opened my eyes. If that is the way (getting pregnant) to getting teenagers to see the reality of how socially common this issue is (which it should not), then there are precautions that this society needs to take to make sure that this acceptability is not a compelling risk factor in a teen’s potential future, because it is making teens think this is an okay thing. If this issue keeps going the way it is, then there will no longer be anything wrong with teen pregnancy; it will just be another norm in society, just like tying your shoes.
Another concern to go along with this evolving issue is the effect that teen pregnancy has on a family system. Not only does this issue affect the new forming family (mother, father—if involved, and new baby), but it affects the family that is involved with both the mother and the father (again, if involved). A teenager nearly never, has a stable financial situation for themselves, let alone another human being, without the support of a parent or parents. This is one way that this affects the family. The family has to take on the additional financial complication of the teenager during, before, and after the pregnancy until that teen can fully support themselves. This often becomes difficult too because it makes it difficult for a teen to engage themselves in school or a solid, good-paying job because they usually are dropping out of high-school, or not going to college, or unable to find a job because their first priority is with the child; little did they think that this would be a concerning issue, before they became pregnant. Therefore, without a high-school diploma, a college degree, or experience in a work field, when a teenager does go to find a job this makes it more difficult for them to find a secure job because of the lack of prerequisites, correct education, and lack of experience. This also leads to the instability of the future for the family (both the internal and external) with a never ending cycle.
I agree that teen pregnancy affects the entire family (Bartell.) I have learned from my own experience that I was not the only one affected by my own pregnancy. If that was the case, I would have been alone and on my own before, during, and after the entire incident. I also agree with the emotions expressed in this article, some of which include: fear, scariness, instability, anger, confusion, all of which are overwhelming. But, I also realize that because I was not the only one involved with my pregnancy, that the ones who helped me throughout the pregnancy, also experienced some, if not all, of these feelings as well.
I fully agree with the fact that there is more involved with the situation of just before and during teen pregnancy, but the other end of the deal as well, which is before teen pregnancy. In “Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen’s Perspective,” the authors use their information straight from teenagers. I have learned that the lack of knowledge and reinforcement of contraceptives could better be brought to teens and adolescents attention (Pregnancy Prevention.) This in turn could help to reduce teen pregnancy. Also, I agree that unfulfilled emotional needs are a major aspect for this issue as well. This is an area parents need to focus on, in order to help with this issue as well. I find that teen pregnancy is a combined effort, and needs all parts to collaborate in order for prevention to happen. How can you or society as a whole help? This may be a question that is on the tip of concerned persons tongue. As previously mentioned, it is important for the reinforcement of contraceptives and excessive need for knowledge about teen pregnancy prevention. This is important because it is necessary in order to help teens to better understand that teen pregnancy is an underestimated issue.
Pregnancy involves several different components that are considerable before, during, and after conception. This is a concept that can be difficult for grown-adults that are thinking of becoming full-time parents, let alone young teenagers, who aren’t even fully developed (be it mentally and/or physically), who are trying to engage in a very grown up situation. Several motives come into play, such as survival needs, health needs, financial well-being, affection and friendships, respect and esteem of self and others, new experiences, self actualization, and convenience. Survival needs are definitely an instinct for all humans. The new concept—the survival needs of another human life. A teen parent(s) does not only have to worry about the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of his or her self, but the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of her or their child. Health is a concern before, during, and after pregnancy. A teen is still a growing body herself, so taking into consideration that there is another being inside that she is also responsible for maintain a healthy life for is an another additional task that is hard to uphold. Financial well-being has already been discussed but cannot be further implied enough!! A baby is such a difficult addition to a person’s life and one must, must, must be financially prepared to help to support that baby fully, or have means of backup. Affection and friendship is an important aspect of bonding between a teen and the baby. Building trusting, loving, protective, and reliable relationships is key and vital to stability in a child’s life. While a teen is still trying to do this in her or their life(s), it is hard to set that stable environment for a child as well when they haven’t fully developed this as a person themselves. Building one’s esteem is also linked to setting a stable environment, going along with key relationships, because this ties in with the teen having to fully develop their self before being able to develop another’s esteem.
It is definitely difficult for a person to be able to deal with all these concepts on a “self” level as a teen because they are not developed themselves. With that being said, how is it possible for a teen to focus on growing themselves with another human that they are responsible for from the day of conception. This brings to my point. Teen pregnancy is becoming more and more accepting, and why? With responsibilities that teens are already focused on, such as school, “learning” to plan and build a future, building relationships, finding out about themselves, how are they going to take on an additional responsibility if they are not even grown and fully developed themselves to instill, teach, and lead a child? Teenagers are children that are soon to be adults—key word soon—but they still have so much to learn before they can endure the responsibility of a child. I have learned through experience that teenage pregnancy is not an easy thing. I did not act or think responsibly when I did the action I had done. I did not think about any consequences. When the day came and that small stick said positive, I had a big dose of reality hit me at once, without preparation. This happens to all teens, and to those who think it is easy, they better think again (Surviving.) I am here to tell you that without all the help I had, and still have today, I would not be able to take care of my child fully. There are many plans that I had to change in order to best accommodate my son. I could not go to WVU like I had planned because the living situation was not one that was suitable. I wouldn’t have had the help of family nearby. I could not live in a dorm for sure. I wasn’t even sure that I could do college any more. College was for myself, but now it is for my son. I have to better myself in order to support him. It is important for a young teen to know that it is no longer about that teen anymore, it is about that innocent child inside or beside of you. That alone is a scary thought. But it is what is necessary. I am pleased to say that I am making it day to day with my 8 ½ month old baby boy, with the full support of family, friends, his father (also my boyfriend), as well as some financial help (Benson). But, I was one of the lucky ones. What if you don’t have the support of any of your family, friends, the baby’s father, or financial support? What if you are alone or only have the support of a few of these options? I am here to say that you need the full support of all of these things, and still at times it doesn’t seem like enough. This brings me to my last point that teen pregnancy is a “grown-up” decision; one that teens are not capable of handling on their own.
WORKS CITED
Bartell, Susan S. "Teen Pregnancy: The Impact on a Family System.." International Journal of Childbirth Education 20.2 (June 2005): 19-21. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=17296475&site=ehost-live.
Benson, Mark J. "After the Adolescent Pregnancy: Parents, Teens, and Families." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 21.5 (Oct. 2004): 435-455. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14579225&site=ehost-live.
Corcoran, Jacqueline, Cynthia Franklin, and Holly Bell. "Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen Perspective." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 14.5 (Oct. 1997): 365-382. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110854&site=ehost-live.
Gulli, Cathy, et al. "Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story)." Maclean's 121.3 (28 Jan. 2008): 40-44. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=31968517&site=ehost-live.
Surviving Teen Pregnancy: Your Choices, Dreams and Decisions." Child Welfare 72.2 (Mar. 1993): 190-190. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14611094&site=ehost-live.
So many personal struggles are different to each individual person, as the saying goes, “to each its own.” A topical issue that is at hand in today’s society is teen pregnancy. Teen pregnancy is now becoming a prominent factor in today’s growing America. . I do not agree that teen pregnancy is becoming an “acceptable” factor in today’s growing America. It is evident to me more and more that this issue is slowly becoming part of a normalcy, after being brought to my attention (Gulli). I had never thought that teen pregnancy was such a big issue, and how common it was, until after the fact I had become pregnant myself and it had opened my eyes. If that is the way (getting pregnant) to getting teenagers to see the reality of how socially common this issue is (which it should not), then there are precautions that this society needs to take to make sure that this acceptability is not a compelling risk factor in a teen’s potential future, because it is making teens think this is an okay thing. If this issue keeps going the way it is, then there will no longer be anything wrong with teen pregnancy; it will just be another norm in society, just like tying your shoes.
Another concern to go along with this evolving issue is the effect that teen pregnancy has on a family system. Not only does this issue affect the new forming family (mother, father—if involved, and new baby), but it affects the family that is involved with both the mother and the father (again, if involved). A teenager nearly never, has a stable financial situation for themselves, let alone another human being, without the support of a parent or parents. This is one way that this affects the family. The family has to take on the additional financial complication of the teenager during, before, and after the pregnancy until that teen can fully support themselves. This often becomes difficult too because it makes it difficult for a teen to engage themselves in school or a solid, good-paying job because they usually are dropping out of high-school, or not going to college, or unable to find a job because their first priority is with the child; little did they think that this would be a concerning issue, before they became pregnant. Therefore, without a high-school diploma, a college degree, or experience in a work field, when a teenager does go to find a job this makes it more difficult for them to find a secure job because of the lack of prerequisites, correct education, and lack of experience. This also leads to the instability of the future for the family (both the internal and external) with a never ending cycle.
I agree that teen pregnancy affects the entire family (Bartell.) I have learned from my own experience that I was not the only one affected by my own pregnancy. If that was the case, I would have been alone and on my own before, during, and after the entire incident. I also agree with the emotions expressed in this article, some of which include: fear, scariness, instability, anger, confusion, all of which are overwhelming. But, I also realize that because I was not the only one involved with my pregnancy, that the ones who helped me throughout the pregnancy, also experienced some, if not all, of these feelings as well.
I fully agree with the fact that there is more involved with the situation of just before and during teen pregnancy, but the other end of the deal as well, which is before teen pregnancy. In “Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen’s Perspective,” the authors use their information straight from teenagers. I have learned that the lack of knowledge and reinforcement of contraceptives could better be brought to teens and adolescents attention (Pregnancy Prevention.) This in turn could help to reduce teen pregnancy. Also, I agree that unfulfilled emotional needs are a major aspect for this issue as well. This is an area parents need to focus on, in order to help with this issue as well. I find that teen pregnancy is a combined effort, and needs all parts to collaborate in order for prevention to happen. How can you or society as a whole help? This may be a question that is on the tip of concerned persons tongue. As previously mentioned, it is important for the reinforcement of contraceptives and excessive need for knowledge about teen pregnancy prevention. This is important because it is necessary in order to help teens to better understand that teen pregnancy is an underestimated issue.
Pregnancy involves several different components that are considerable before, during, and after conception. This is a concept that can be difficult for grown-adults that are thinking of becoming full-time parents, let alone young teenagers, who aren’t even fully developed (be it mentally and/or physically), who are trying to engage in a very grown up situation. Several motives come into play, such as survival needs, health needs, financial well-being, affection and friendships, respect and esteem of self and others, new experiences, self actualization, and convenience. Survival needs are definitely an instinct for all humans. The new concept—the survival needs of another human life. A teen parent(s) does not only have to worry about the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of his or her self, but the food, shelter, warmth, and physical safety of her or their child. Health is a concern before, during, and after pregnancy. A teen is still a growing body herself, so taking into consideration that there is another being inside that she is also responsible for maintain a healthy life for is an another additional task that is hard to uphold. Financial well-being has already been discussed but cannot be further implied enough!! A baby is such a difficult addition to a person’s life and one must, must, must be financially prepared to help to support that baby fully, or have means of backup. Affection and friendship is an important aspect of bonding between a teen and the baby. Building trusting, loving, protective, and reliable relationships is key and vital to stability in a child’s life. While a teen is still trying to do this in her or their life(s), it is hard to set that stable environment for a child as well when they haven’t fully developed this as a person themselves. Building one’s esteem is also linked to setting a stable environment, going along with key relationships, because this ties in with the teen having to fully develop their self before being able to develop another’s esteem.
It is definitely difficult for a person to be able to deal with all these concepts on a “self” level as a teen because they are not developed themselves. With that being said, how is it possible for a teen to focus on growing themselves with another human that they are responsible for from the day of conception. This brings to my point. Teen pregnancy is becoming more and more accepting, and why? With responsibilities that teens are already focused on, such as school, “learning” to plan and build a future, building relationships, finding out about themselves, how are they going to take on an additional responsibility if they are not even grown and fully developed themselves to instill, teach, and lead a child? Teenagers are children that are soon to be adults—key word soon—but they still have so much to learn before they can endure the responsibility of a child. I have learned through experience that teenage pregnancy is not an easy thing. I did not act or think responsibly when I did the action I had done. I did not think about any consequences. When the day came and that small stick said positive, I had a big dose of reality hit me at once, without preparation. This happens to all teens, and to those who think it is easy, they better think again (Surviving.) I am here to tell you that without all the help I had, and still have today, I would not be able to take care of my child fully. There are many plans that I had to change in order to best accommodate my son. I could not go to WVU like I had planned because the living situation was not one that was suitable. I wouldn’t have had the help of family nearby. I could not live in a dorm for sure. I wasn’t even sure that I could do college any more. College was for myself, but now it is for my son. I have to better myself in order to support him. It is important for a young teen to know that it is no longer about that teen anymore, it is about that innocent child inside or beside of you. That alone is a scary thought. But it is what is necessary. I am pleased to say that I am making it day to day with my 8 ½ month old baby boy, with the full support of family, friends, his father (also my boyfriend), as well as some financial help (Benson). But, I was one of the lucky ones. What if you don’t have the support of any of your family, friends, the baby’s father, or financial support? What if you are alone or only have the support of a few of these options? I am here to say that you need the full support of all of these things, and still at times it doesn’t seem like enough. This brings me to my last point that teen pregnancy is a “grown-up” decision; one that teens are not capable of handling on their own.
WORKS CITED
Bartell, Susan S. "Teen Pregnancy: The Impact on a Family System.." International Journal of Childbirth Education 20.2 (June 2005): 19-21. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hch&AN=17296475&site=ehost-live.
Benson, Mark J. "After the Adolescent Pregnancy: Parents, Teens, and Families." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 21.5 (Oct. 2004): 435-455. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14579225&site=ehost-live.
Corcoran, Jacqueline, Cynthia Franklin, and Holly Bell. "Pregnancy Prevention from the Teen Perspective." Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal 14.5 (Oct. 1997): 365-382. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=110854&site=ehost-live.
Gulli, Cathy, et al. "Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? (cover story)." Maclean's 121.3 (28 Jan. 2008): 40-44. MasterFILE Premier. EBSCO. Potomac State College Library, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=31968517&site=ehost-live.
Surviving Teen Pregnancy: Your Choices, Dreams and Decisions." Child Welfare 72.2 (Mar. 1993): 190-190. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Potomac State College, Keyser, WV. 25 Mar. 2009 http://search.ebscohost.com.www.libproxy.wvu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14611094&site=ehost-live.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Influence of Parental Behaviors
Investigative Paper
Issue: What influences parental behaviors, and how does that affect their children?
1. Associate It. The influence of parental behaviors on their children is a concern that I’m sure many of us have thought about. Where does the parents influence come from? Parents have not been parents all their lives, so their influences had to start somewhere. One idea that might come to mind is the time that they lived in as children, and that their parents lived in as “parents.” Also, current situations tie into “past” experiences and upbringings that influence parents’ behaviors, such as: current financial situations, employment or unemployment, social status, motives, morals, ethics, culture, society in general. All these situations can also relate to the economy. What situation is the economy in at the current time—war, hardship, troublesome times, or enthusiastic, growing, developing, and succeeding?
2. Describe It. In order to describe my issue, I am going to talk about each individual word and how I perceive it. Influences are invisible. Influences are not always visible to the eye. They are hard to detect; or maybe not so much as hard to detect but not always obvious. Influences are the Great Depression of the 1920’s, the hoppin’ 50’s and 60’s, the hippie age of the 70’s, the 80’s rock ‘n’ roll, the 90’s pop and modern era, and the 2000 NEW MILLENIUM. Parents are the newest color of crayon in the box, because they are new to everything they do. It is a new experience and new beginnings to withstand. Children are an aurora of colors. They, as well as the parents, are new to everything they do. They watch, study, and learn about 90% of what they do from their parents. All of these concepts interconnect between each other.
3. Compare It. Parents’ influential behaviors can be compared to power relations. Take for instance the structure of a family in the 20’s. The man was the head of the household. He made the income for the family, worked all day (either at a farm or in the work place), expected dinner to be ready when he got home, he was waited on hand and foot, and did no cooking, cleaning, or any house work for that matter. The mother was the housewife. She did the cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children, and making sure all the needs of the family were met, besides the income. The children were to follow in their parents footsteps, be them boy or girl they would follow either their mother or father. This was a strict structure. Parents always had the upper hand and there was no questioning their authority. Today, there is more leniency with family structure, but it still holds the basic concept that parents hold the authority. The structure of the family can also be compared to any power related structure. Take for instance the teacher-student relationship. There is an expected role of the student and it is the teacher’s job to guide that student and let him or her know exactly what to do, what not to do, what is right, what is wrong; and the teacher has the major authority. Also, police-citizen relationships. All police hold higher authority than do the citizens. They are relied on to enforce the law and to protect communities and society. That relationship would also lead to others, such as the army, the navy, the air force, coast guard, etc. Government-society relationship is can too be compared to power relations and the structure of the family. The government makes, conducts, and enforces laws and society is to abide by them. All of these relationships are in consideration of the “family model.” A family is a group that functions properly together with love, support, protection, and understanding. All of the above relationships share this in common.
4. Apply It. Learning and investigating the psychological aspect of children’s parental influences, we can better understand how infants develop into toddlers, toddlers develop into children, children develop into teenagers, and teenagers develop into adults. We can figure out how at each stage of development, the person adjusts and adapts to new situations and figure out what influences their behaviors to their children (if and when they get to that point in their lives.)
5. Divide It. The psychological development of children can be divided into different sections. These sections include: physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically, intellectually, religiously, morally, and ethically. The influences of parental behavior can also be divided into several different sections. These sections include: employment, unemployment, social status, financial status, motives, morals, ethics, culture, the “cycle” of generation to generation of previous parents’ influences and upbringings.
6. Agree and Disagree with It. I agree that the way a parent behaves teaches a child how to behave a certain way, because a child grows through learning and their current influences are what motivates them to learn. If that child grows up adapted to an aggressive environment he or she will learn to be aggressive. If a child grows up in a respectful environment, he or she will learn respect. I disagree with the fact that some parents don’t understand where they learn their behaviors from. They don’t understand or realize that how they act around their children affects their attitude, beliefs, and therefore contributes and shows in their actions. Every move that a parent makes is carefully observed and studied by their children whether it is obvious or not. The same goes for the parent, whether or not they think their actions and behaviors are obvious, they are picked up on everyday by their children. And this cycle goes on and on and on for further and further generations to come.
7. Consider it as it is Right Now. The nature of parental behavior depends on the upbringing of each parent, individually, in the past, as well as the current situations each is involved in, lives with, and deals with. Right now parents are going through a minor recession, some may be working, some may not be, some may be working part time, financial situations are not flourishing, emotions could be running high, things seem overwhelming. All of these are considerations that could influence parental behaviors right now, because these are situations the economy are facing.
8. Consider it Over a Period of Time. In the past, parental behaviors and influences were different than they were today. This is because of different socio-economical time periods, different generations, and different values. Such as the children from the generation of the Great Depression or World War I were taught respect, conservation, and hard work. They were also taught in a time of hardship and vulnerability. They grew up in a time of struggle which ultimately made stronger personalities because times gradually got better after they had gotten through the worst of the worst. Socio-economical challenges are different in each time period and are subject to change at any given time. In turn they are also handled differently by each individual, therefore promoting change in the influences of parents on their children based on current situations as well as past.
9. Decide whether it is a Part of Something Bigger. I think every single small or large thing can always be linked to something bigger. Take for instance the power relationships that I previously discussed in topic #3. Mother/Father-children relationships can also be linked to student-teacher relationships, and that relationship can be linked to police-citizen relationships, and that can be linked to society-economy relationships. I think this entire subject matter can be linked to the economy in several ways. What is currently going on with the economy now is similar to what was going on with the economy a year or two or three years ago in the sense that everything that happens to the economy influences behaviors. Therefore resulting in influences in parental behaviors, which ultimately affect children.
10. Analyze It. Parental Influences and behaviors can be broken down into several different parts. First, the past that parents have lived in before previously becoming parents themselves. They use the guidelines that their parents taught to them to reflect upon their children. Also, current situations tie into past relations. For instance, the situations like financial status, employment, or unemployment can influence behavior positively if they are employed and financially stable; or it can influence behavior negatively if they are unemployed and financially unstable. Social status affects parental behavior and influences in the case that if a family is socially “well-off” (living the high life, fancy cars, big houses, very wealthy, etc.) their influence is going to teach their children that, that is how their life will more than likely always be. If a family is socially “not-so-well-off” (living not so wealthy, family, life, and financial struggles, etc.) their influences are going to teach their children that life is a constant struggle. Society in general also helps with parents’ contribution. The media’s influence on parents contributes to media on children. Global and economical situations also contribute to behaviors—including the current situation of their specific economy as well as the current situations of other’s economy and time frame that they live in as well. Motives, morals, and ethics like what interests each of the parents have, what is their work ethic, how they achieve goals, what is valuable to them, what is not valuable to them, and how they perceive certain situations—be them internal, external, or self struggles—all contribute to the influences of the way parents behave, which in turn contributes to the children’s perception of how to view, understand, and learn the world.
11. Synthesize It. If we apply these situations to a real life view, I don’t think that there is a scenario that could fix the parental influences that reflect their behavior to their children. Because so many variables, like the economy, other people, values, goals, motives, and so forth, it is difficult to control any of the variables that contribute to parental behaviors that contribute to children’s attitudes. If we had the perfect economy, perfect families, perfect morals, values, goals, motives, and social status, maybe we could have the perfect scenario. But without differences and with only perfectness, we cannot achieve improvement. There would be no room for challenges, there would only be monotony and nothing to differentiate any part of the world. Because everyone views things differently and not always on the same page that is why we have an issue with the influence of parental behaviors on children. Everyone is not going to agree with what is right and what is wrong because each individual person is his or her own. With that being said, possibly there is a happy medium that people could meet, but is unknown how to reach that happy medium because of the complexity of the issue.
12. Evaluate It. Parental influences on their children cannot necessarily be at control. Parents can control themselves in particularly to certain situations with their children, but ultimately it is into higher hands. One act or behavior is related to one issue and another to another issue and so on and so forth. It all contributes to a domino effect. Parental influences are both good and bad to their children, depending on how each is looked at. It is also valuable to both a family structure, a school structure, a community structure, a society structure, as well as the economy’s structure.
13. Elaborate on It. I think that with the understanding of knowing what is going on around you and paying attention to how it affects not only you personally, but others around you are important to influences on children. Children are learners and pick up on everything you say, do, even think and feel. Don’t underestimate. If parent’s take subject to positive influences in children’s lives it could help in the domino effect reversely to the economy.
14. Project and Predict. What would happen if there was no structure in relationships at all? I think that there would be complete chaos. Without structure, there are no rules. Without rules, there are no laws. Without laws, there is no enforcement. Without enforcement there can be no economy. Everything as everyone knows it would unravel and the issue of the influences of parental behaviors on children would not be a matter anymore.
15. Ask Why and Keep asking why. Why does it seem that the domino effect is important to many issues? With one decision comes a consequence. With one consequence comes a decision. With one influence, comes a learning outcome. And with a learning outcome, comes and influence. Why is learning what influences parental behaviors important to children? Why is learning what is important to children’s development important? How can we fix situations? When do questions stop forming?
Issue: What influences parental behaviors, and how does that affect their children?
1. Associate It. The influence of parental behaviors on their children is a concern that I’m sure many of us have thought about. Where does the parents influence come from? Parents have not been parents all their lives, so their influences had to start somewhere. One idea that might come to mind is the time that they lived in as children, and that their parents lived in as “parents.” Also, current situations tie into “past” experiences and upbringings that influence parents’ behaviors, such as: current financial situations, employment or unemployment, social status, motives, morals, ethics, culture, society in general. All these situations can also relate to the economy. What situation is the economy in at the current time—war, hardship, troublesome times, or enthusiastic, growing, developing, and succeeding?
2. Describe It. In order to describe my issue, I am going to talk about each individual word and how I perceive it. Influences are invisible. Influences are not always visible to the eye. They are hard to detect; or maybe not so much as hard to detect but not always obvious. Influences are the Great Depression of the 1920’s, the hoppin’ 50’s and 60’s, the hippie age of the 70’s, the 80’s rock ‘n’ roll, the 90’s pop and modern era, and the 2000 NEW MILLENIUM. Parents are the newest color of crayon in the box, because they are new to everything they do. It is a new experience and new beginnings to withstand. Children are an aurora of colors. They, as well as the parents, are new to everything they do. They watch, study, and learn about 90% of what they do from their parents. All of these concepts interconnect between each other.
3. Compare It. Parents’ influential behaviors can be compared to power relations. Take for instance the structure of a family in the 20’s. The man was the head of the household. He made the income for the family, worked all day (either at a farm or in the work place), expected dinner to be ready when he got home, he was waited on hand and foot, and did no cooking, cleaning, or any house work for that matter. The mother was the housewife. She did the cooking, cleaning, taking care of the children, and making sure all the needs of the family were met, besides the income. The children were to follow in their parents footsteps, be them boy or girl they would follow either their mother or father. This was a strict structure. Parents always had the upper hand and there was no questioning their authority. Today, there is more leniency with family structure, but it still holds the basic concept that parents hold the authority. The structure of the family can also be compared to any power related structure. Take for instance the teacher-student relationship. There is an expected role of the student and it is the teacher’s job to guide that student and let him or her know exactly what to do, what not to do, what is right, what is wrong; and the teacher has the major authority. Also, police-citizen relationships. All police hold higher authority than do the citizens. They are relied on to enforce the law and to protect communities and society. That relationship would also lead to others, such as the army, the navy, the air force, coast guard, etc. Government-society relationship is can too be compared to power relations and the structure of the family. The government makes, conducts, and enforces laws and society is to abide by them. All of these relationships are in consideration of the “family model.” A family is a group that functions properly together with love, support, protection, and understanding. All of the above relationships share this in common.
4. Apply It. Learning and investigating the psychological aspect of children’s parental influences, we can better understand how infants develop into toddlers, toddlers develop into children, children develop into teenagers, and teenagers develop into adults. We can figure out how at each stage of development, the person adjusts and adapts to new situations and figure out what influences their behaviors to their children (if and when they get to that point in their lives.)
5. Divide It. The psychological development of children can be divided into different sections. These sections include: physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically, intellectually, religiously, morally, and ethically. The influences of parental behavior can also be divided into several different sections. These sections include: employment, unemployment, social status, financial status, motives, morals, ethics, culture, the “cycle” of generation to generation of previous parents’ influences and upbringings.
6. Agree and Disagree with It. I agree that the way a parent behaves teaches a child how to behave a certain way, because a child grows through learning and their current influences are what motivates them to learn. If that child grows up adapted to an aggressive environment he or she will learn to be aggressive. If a child grows up in a respectful environment, he or she will learn respect. I disagree with the fact that some parents don’t understand where they learn their behaviors from. They don’t understand or realize that how they act around their children affects their attitude, beliefs, and therefore contributes and shows in their actions. Every move that a parent makes is carefully observed and studied by their children whether it is obvious or not. The same goes for the parent, whether or not they think their actions and behaviors are obvious, they are picked up on everyday by their children. And this cycle goes on and on and on for further and further generations to come.
7. Consider it as it is Right Now. The nature of parental behavior depends on the upbringing of each parent, individually, in the past, as well as the current situations each is involved in, lives with, and deals with. Right now parents are going through a minor recession, some may be working, some may not be, some may be working part time, financial situations are not flourishing, emotions could be running high, things seem overwhelming. All of these are considerations that could influence parental behaviors right now, because these are situations the economy are facing.
8. Consider it Over a Period of Time. In the past, parental behaviors and influences were different than they were today. This is because of different socio-economical time periods, different generations, and different values. Such as the children from the generation of the Great Depression or World War I were taught respect, conservation, and hard work. They were also taught in a time of hardship and vulnerability. They grew up in a time of struggle which ultimately made stronger personalities because times gradually got better after they had gotten through the worst of the worst. Socio-economical challenges are different in each time period and are subject to change at any given time. In turn they are also handled differently by each individual, therefore promoting change in the influences of parents on their children based on current situations as well as past.
9. Decide whether it is a Part of Something Bigger. I think every single small or large thing can always be linked to something bigger. Take for instance the power relationships that I previously discussed in topic #3. Mother/Father-children relationships can also be linked to student-teacher relationships, and that relationship can be linked to police-citizen relationships, and that can be linked to society-economy relationships. I think this entire subject matter can be linked to the economy in several ways. What is currently going on with the economy now is similar to what was going on with the economy a year or two or three years ago in the sense that everything that happens to the economy influences behaviors. Therefore resulting in influences in parental behaviors, which ultimately affect children.
10. Analyze It. Parental Influences and behaviors can be broken down into several different parts. First, the past that parents have lived in before previously becoming parents themselves. They use the guidelines that their parents taught to them to reflect upon their children. Also, current situations tie into past relations. For instance, the situations like financial status, employment, or unemployment can influence behavior positively if they are employed and financially stable; or it can influence behavior negatively if they are unemployed and financially unstable. Social status affects parental behavior and influences in the case that if a family is socially “well-off” (living the high life, fancy cars, big houses, very wealthy, etc.) their influence is going to teach their children that, that is how their life will more than likely always be. If a family is socially “not-so-well-off” (living not so wealthy, family, life, and financial struggles, etc.) their influences are going to teach their children that life is a constant struggle. Society in general also helps with parents’ contribution. The media’s influence on parents contributes to media on children. Global and economical situations also contribute to behaviors—including the current situation of their specific economy as well as the current situations of other’s economy and time frame that they live in as well. Motives, morals, and ethics like what interests each of the parents have, what is their work ethic, how they achieve goals, what is valuable to them, what is not valuable to them, and how they perceive certain situations—be them internal, external, or self struggles—all contribute to the influences of the way parents behave, which in turn contributes to the children’s perception of how to view, understand, and learn the world.
11. Synthesize It. If we apply these situations to a real life view, I don’t think that there is a scenario that could fix the parental influences that reflect their behavior to their children. Because so many variables, like the economy, other people, values, goals, motives, and so forth, it is difficult to control any of the variables that contribute to parental behaviors that contribute to children’s attitudes. If we had the perfect economy, perfect families, perfect morals, values, goals, motives, and social status, maybe we could have the perfect scenario. But without differences and with only perfectness, we cannot achieve improvement. There would be no room for challenges, there would only be monotony and nothing to differentiate any part of the world. Because everyone views things differently and not always on the same page that is why we have an issue with the influence of parental behaviors on children. Everyone is not going to agree with what is right and what is wrong because each individual person is his or her own. With that being said, possibly there is a happy medium that people could meet, but is unknown how to reach that happy medium because of the complexity of the issue.
12. Evaluate It. Parental influences on their children cannot necessarily be at control. Parents can control themselves in particularly to certain situations with their children, but ultimately it is into higher hands. One act or behavior is related to one issue and another to another issue and so on and so forth. It all contributes to a domino effect. Parental influences are both good and bad to their children, depending on how each is looked at. It is also valuable to both a family structure, a school structure, a community structure, a society structure, as well as the economy’s structure.
13. Elaborate on It. I think that with the understanding of knowing what is going on around you and paying attention to how it affects not only you personally, but others around you are important to influences on children. Children are learners and pick up on everything you say, do, even think and feel. Don’t underestimate. If parent’s take subject to positive influences in children’s lives it could help in the domino effect reversely to the economy.
14. Project and Predict. What would happen if there was no structure in relationships at all? I think that there would be complete chaos. Without structure, there are no rules. Without rules, there are no laws. Without laws, there is no enforcement. Without enforcement there can be no economy. Everything as everyone knows it would unravel and the issue of the influences of parental behaviors on children would not be a matter anymore.
15. Ask Why and Keep asking why. Why does it seem that the domino effect is important to many issues? With one decision comes a consequence. With one consequence comes a decision. With one influence, comes a learning outcome. And with a learning outcome, comes and influence. Why is learning what influences parental behaviors important to children? Why is learning what is important to children’s development important? How can we fix situations? When do questions stop forming?
Monday, January 26, 2009
The U.S. Economy...to me personally
Quite often teenagers don’t realize the entirety of the U.S. Economy—what it does for its citizens, how it impacts other countries or how other countries impact it, and, most importantly, how it affects each and every one of its peoples personally. Every single person in the United States has been affected tremendously by the outcome of the economical situation, whether you are a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother, a worker, a bum, rich, poor, young, or old. In my life, I have been personally affected by the economy’s situation in many different ways. The crisis has also affected my major choice for college, my interests, and my post college plans.
Since the U.S.’s downfall, I have learned to adjust to the current financial crisis many of us face today. Gas prices, food prices, utility bills, and “bills” in general have all increased drastically. Even the price of “fun” and “entertainment” has increased. Job opportunities and money are both getting harder and harder to come by. I have personally been affected by all of these different happenings. I have major responsibility and main priority in life right now, and that is to provide, love, and protect my 5 month old son. So when the money going out of my income gets smaller and the money coming in my income gets bigger, it gets really difficult to maintain stability. Because of my son and also the way things have ventured for the economy, my view of the future has had to change because what I need to do has become more important than what I want to do.
Because what I need to do has become more important that what I want to do, I have had to reconstruct my future, so I am more sure than not that I will be stable for the future, by changing my choice of a major in college. Nursing is an important job and skill that the economy is sure to need. With this job I am sure to find a decent income and a job wherever I need. For others, the option of changing their future plans could be too soon, or could be too late (depending on ages.) I am lucky that nursing and the medical field is of interest to me because for many it could be the complete conjugate situation compared to mine. Say I wanted to become a professional dancer, but with the way things have become, is that what the economy is going to need in the future?
Which brings me to my next subject; the economy has also affected my post college plans. In order to find a good providing job, I have to be wise in my choice of career. I need to become more aware of all the job losses already in the United States and apply that to choosing mine and my son’s future. Also finding a stable living environment is a factor to my post college plans. This is a major factor because not only can I consider this an option by itself but it interweaves with the other factor of finding an appropriate career. I have to find a good environment but it also has to be a place where medicine will benefit, and a place where workers are in need. All these things intertwine together.
Lastly the economy has also affected my interests. I love to have a care free mind set and take life spontaneously, but when your future could potentially be at risk you have to consider another emotion—worry. It seems my mind cannot spend time considering my interests but instead my time is consumed worrying if I will have enough money to pay bills, pay for gas, or buy food. I have to think quickly and make plans because I have to think about “what if”. What if I lose my job tomorrow? How will I support my family? What if my family can’t live solely on my support, can I get help? Where will I be in 5 years? Are we safe? What kind of preparations can I be making if things don’t improve? These are all things that have affected my interests because of the economy, and I can’t seem to remember but few of my interests.
The U.S. Economy has a lot on their hands as of the years to come. It is hard to predict an outcome, be it far away or close from the future, with all the “iffy” situations it possesses. Each American should be able to say they concernedly understand or pertain interest to the economy and its entirety. It is a part of everyone’s life, whether they know or understand the impact now or later. As for me, I know and understand now, how the rise and fall of the U.S. Economy has personally affected me.
Since the U.S.’s downfall, I have learned to adjust to the current financial crisis many of us face today. Gas prices, food prices, utility bills, and “bills” in general have all increased drastically. Even the price of “fun” and “entertainment” has increased. Job opportunities and money are both getting harder and harder to come by. I have personally been affected by all of these different happenings. I have major responsibility and main priority in life right now, and that is to provide, love, and protect my 5 month old son. So when the money going out of my income gets smaller and the money coming in my income gets bigger, it gets really difficult to maintain stability. Because of my son and also the way things have ventured for the economy, my view of the future has had to change because what I need to do has become more important than what I want to do.
Because what I need to do has become more important that what I want to do, I have had to reconstruct my future, so I am more sure than not that I will be stable for the future, by changing my choice of a major in college. Nursing is an important job and skill that the economy is sure to need. With this job I am sure to find a decent income and a job wherever I need. For others, the option of changing their future plans could be too soon, or could be too late (depending on ages.) I am lucky that nursing and the medical field is of interest to me because for many it could be the complete conjugate situation compared to mine. Say I wanted to become a professional dancer, but with the way things have become, is that what the economy is going to need in the future?
Which brings me to my next subject; the economy has also affected my post college plans. In order to find a good providing job, I have to be wise in my choice of career. I need to become more aware of all the job losses already in the United States and apply that to choosing mine and my son’s future. Also finding a stable living environment is a factor to my post college plans. This is a major factor because not only can I consider this an option by itself but it interweaves with the other factor of finding an appropriate career. I have to find a good environment but it also has to be a place where medicine will benefit, and a place where workers are in need. All these things intertwine together.
Lastly the economy has also affected my interests. I love to have a care free mind set and take life spontaneously, but when your future could potentially be at risk you have to consider another emotion—worry. It seems my mind cannot spend time considering my interests but instead my time is consumed worrying if I will have enough money to pay bills, pay for gas, or buy food. I have to think quickly and make plans because I have to think about “what if”. What if I lose my job tomorrow? How will I support my family? What if my family can’t live solely on my support, can I get help? Where will I be in 5 years? Are we safe? What kind of preparations can I be making if things don’t improve? These are all things that have affected my interests because of the economy, and I can’t seem to remember but few of my interests.
The U.S. Economy has a lot on their hands as of the years to come. It is hard to predict an outcome, be it far away or close from the future, with all the “iffy” situations it possesses. Each American should be able to say they concernedly understand or pertain interest to the economy and its entirety. It is a part of everyone’s life, whether they know or understand the impact now or later. As for me, I know and understand now, how the rise and fall of the U.S. Economy has personally affected me.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
