9.3 - Becoming a parent or carer: Factors affecting the roles of parents and carers

Question 1

Characteristics of the dependent

Answer 1

• Age
• Skills/capable
• Special needs

Question 2

Characteristics of the dependent

Age

Answer 2

The dependents age has a big impact on his/hers relationship with the parent/carer.

Age can being on rivalry between siblings (competition) which can either have a positive or negative impact on the relationship within a family.

The relationship between the dependent and parent/carer can develop and change throughout the different age/stages of the dependent.

Question 3

Characteristics of the dependent

Skills/capability

Answer 3

Depending on the dependents age, they might be able to assists their carers well being with their skills.
E.G. An older child might develop the capability to complete a variety of tasks in order to assist such as helping with the cooking.

However if the dependent is disabled, they may lack in skills and they would need extra support from their carer.

Question 4

Characteristics of the dependent

Special needs

Answer 4

Some dependents require additional assistance from their parents/carers due to their illnesses.

Children who have a condition such as autism, down syndrome, mental health problems often have varying needs.

Parents/carers need to completely support their children who have a disability and might have less time to spend with their children. This can cause jealously.

Question 5

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Answer 5

COMPRESS

• Culture, customs, traditions
• Own upbringings
• Multiple commitments
• Previous experiences
• Religion/ spirituality
• Education
• Socioeconomic status
• Special needs

Question 6

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Culture, customs, traditions

Answer 6

Culture: refers to the ideas, beliefs and social behaviours of a group.
Customs: refers to the usual behaviour
Traditions: refers to beliefs or behaviour passed for one generation to the next.

• Cultures often requires specific customs and traditions that can be very influential in the raising of a child.
• Parents would set standards of behaviours (customs) that are in keeping with customs. E.G. it might be the custom to go to church every week.
• Other cultures, traditions and customs include:
  
  • Using specific gestures when greeting other people
  • Holding extended family lunches.

Question 7

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Own upbringing

Answer 7

Parents/carers won upbringing will influence various aspects of how they will raise their own children.

Parents and carers actions often mimic their own parents or carers.

E.G. if a young man grew up with his parents taking him to the park to play, he might follow the customs with his own children to the park regularly.

Question 8

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Multiple commitments

Answer 8

It is necessary that parents develop a BALANCE and plan how much they dedicate to each commitment.

If they over commit in a short period, they may become run down.

If they cut out all their other commitments, they may become purposeless which will have a negative impact on their emotional and physical wellbeing.

Question 9

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Previous experience

Answer 9

Previous experiences will have an impact on their choices for their children.

Parents and carers often compare their children rearing actions with their own childhood experiences (from their parents) or the experiences of people they know.

Question 10

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Religion/spirituality

Answer 10

Parents/carers would usually introduce their religion practices to their children because it was embedded in their own upbringing.

However when the children become more independent and understand. Their beliefs may change to develop their own understanding of the world.

Question 11

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Education

Answer 11

Educated people might have more knowledge, skills and Understanding of parenting and caring roles and responsibilities.

Educated individuals are often more aware of the services and groups they could access to help them with their roles.

However too much education can be detrimental as mothers can compare their child which can cause anxiety/stress.

Question 12

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Socioeconomic status

Answer 12

Parents/carers with LOW SES might not be able to access various supports to meet the dependents specific needs.

Socioeconomic affects their children’s development and socialization. This can greatly vary their relationship

Question 13

Influences on parents and carers: Personal

Special needs

Answer 13

Children who have ‘special needs’ means that they will need greater support than most children.

Parents will need to learn to cope with their dependents disability and change their lifestyle to suit the dependents.

The dependent will need to be given the opportunity to reach their full potential throughout the stages of their life, which may take time away from other dependents.

Question 14

Influences on parents and carers: Social

Answer 14

• Media stereotypes
• Gender expectations
• Community attitudes

Question 15

Influences on parents and carers: Social

Media stereotypes

Answer 15

The media is a tool for conveying information that can influence individuals, groups and communities in both positive and negative ways

Gender expectations can be shaped by media stereotypes.

Question 16

Influences on parents and carers: Social

Gender expectations

Answer 16

Gender expectations have influenced the traditional roles of the people who are part of a family unit.
E.G. in the early mid 20th century, a wife was expected to stay at home with the children while her husband earned the money.

Children are heavily influenced by the gender roles that are evident during the child’s development.

Question 17

Influences on parents and carers: Social

Community attitudes

Answer 17

Community attidues (options) can potentially have either a positive or negative impact on parents and carers, although the attitudes are often not positive.

E.G. if a couple in a LGBTQI+ are living in a suburb that has very religious constituency, some members might feel uncomfortable and tey to influence their religious views on them

Question 18

Styles of parenting

Answer 18

• Authoritarian
• Democratic
• Indulgent
• Negligent

Question 19

Styles of parenting

Authoritarian

Answer 19

• This style is control-based on rules and regulations.
• Parents/carers expect kids to follow the rules with no discussion or compromise

This can lead to either respect from the children or disrespect if the children don’t agree.

Question 20

Styles of parenting

Democratic

Answer 20

Involves treating children as equals. Parents treat their kids with respect and dignity. Children are given choices and made responsible for their decisions.

• Open discussion.
• Children are able to make their own choice; however, they know their boundaries.
• Parents ensure love, warmth and understanding.
• Parents/carers motivating dependents.

Question 21

Styles of parenting

Indulgent

Answer 21

Permissive parenting is a type of parenting style characterized by low demands with high responsiveness.

• Parents/carers tend to be very loving, yet provide few guidelines/rules.
• Parents/carers are seen more like a friend than a parental figure.
• Emphasize their children’s freedom rather than responsibility.

Question 22

Styles of parenting

Negligent

Answer 22

A style of parenting where parents don’t respond to their child’s needs or desires beyond the basics of food, clothing, and shelter. (Neglectful parenting)

• Fail to meet the dependents physiological needs, belonging or esteem.
• Neglection
• Show no warmth or affection towards their children.
• Do not set rules, boundaries or expectations on their children’s behaviour.
• Often leads to negative relationships through the emotional detachment.

Question 23

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities

Answer 23

• Duty of care
• Setting limits
• Disciplines

Question 24

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Duty of care

Answer 24

Parents and carers must meet the needs of the dependents.
They need to ensure they meet the dependents primary and secondary needs that they nurture their intellectual and social development.

EXAMPLES:

• Ensuring the dependents diet is sufficient with fruit and vegetables.
• Ensuring the dependents are taken to their physical activity.

Question 25

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Duty of care

Building a positive relationship

Answer 25

Parenting: A mother can “” by walking him to school everyday. This ensures that he is safe, as well as fulfilling his RIGHT to an education.

Caring: A teacher “” through encouraging them with their learning. This can ensure the students feel comfortable to learn, trust within the teacher and respect.

Question 26

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Setting limits

Answer 26

• Factors such as religion, culture and own experience will have an impact on the limits they set for the children.
• However, as the children get older, they might challenge their limits.
• It is important that parents and carers explain the limits to their children to form trust.

Question 27

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Setting limits

Building a positive relationship

Answer 27

Parenting: Parents will allow their child to go to a party if they come home at 10:30. This will ensure the child is safe and trust between the parent and child.

Caring: A nanny clearly instructs the children to swim in between the flags. This ensures safety of the dependent as well as some interdependence, allowing trust to develop.

Question 28

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Discipline

Answer 28

• The aim of discipline is to help the children learn the difference between right and wrong.
• Involves enforcement of rules and giving of consequences.
• It is important to be consistent in following the discipline rules they set for the dependent.
• It is important that the parent/carer addresses the child after they have calmed down, to ensure that they are still loved.

Question 29

Rights and responsibilities in parenting and caring

Responsibilities: Discipline

Building a positive relationship

Answer 29

Parenting: A father grounding her daughter for breaking a rule will have a positive impact, as the child is able to reflect on her actions and understanding the expected behavior, without physical or psychological harm.

Caring: A teacher sends a letter back to the students parents.