Outline and discuss the view that the family has become more child centred Flashcards
point 1
One way the family has become more child centred is that children take priority over adults.
example 1
Jenks (2005) believes principles such as ‘children should be separated and protected from the adult world ‘have led to child-centred parenting. This type of parenting results in the needs of children within families taking priority over the needs of adults. The nurturing of children is seen as more important than the well-being of adults.
explain 1
This shows that the family has become more child centred as previously adults would take priority over children and children’s issues were pushed to the side, however now parents are much keen on prioritizing their children with a new style of parenting.
counter 1
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point 2
Another way the family has become more child centred is that there is a large emphases that parents need to provide for their children financially more.
example 2
Child Support Act 1991 requires absent parents to contribute to the financial cost of providing for the child and the parent with immediate parental responsibility is required to cooperate with the Child Support Agency to assist in this process.
explain 2
This shows that the family has become more child centred as previously providing for children financially wasn’t emphasised as much as adults took priority however now as children are seen as much more important parents provide for them much more.
counter 2
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point 3
another way the family has become more child centred is that parents are now becoming more worried about their children and spend more time trying to protect them.
example 3
Frank Furedi describes a change in the role of parents in recent years. Traditionally, ‘good’ parents tried to care for and stimulate their children. Nowadays they often see their main task as protecting their children from danger (accidents, paedophiles, bullies). Furedi believes parents have become paranoid. He thinks the risks of harm to children have been exaggerated and the new accent on protection is unhealthy.
explain 3
This shows that the family has become more child centred as children have become subject to increased surveillance because parents are more fearful for their children and determined to protect them, which wasn’t the case 50 years ago.
counter 3
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point 4
Another way the family has become more child centred is that children now have a say in issues they previously couldn’t have like which parent they want to live with following a divorce.
example 4
The Children’s Act 1989 allows children to have a say in which parent they live with following a divorce and they can bring to the attention of the court instances of where parents have not properly discharged their responsibilities to them. The prime concern of the state should be the child, and what children themselves say about their experiences and needs.
explain 4
This shows that the family has become more child centred as children wouldn’t even be considered in the decision making of which parent they want to live with previously, however now a law has even been put in place to ensure they can.
