Unit VIII Research Paper CATHERINE OWEN ONLY)

Running head: PARENTAL CONTROL 0

Kristie L. Carter

Columbia Southern University

Parental Control

Introduction

Even though most people get involved in either early or unplanned marriages, a section of these individuals does not aware of the effects of being a parent. As most of the people perceive it, the act of parental control is a significant step in a child’s upbringing. For example, when a parent is responsible for a given child, chances are high that the given child would most definitely excel in their respective academics. On the other hand, a section of the society still sees the negative effects that come aboard with parental control. For example, in the act of controlling a child, some parents over emphasize it indifferent ways including the act of letting their child get much attached to the modern technology. In doing this, they tend to forget the negative influences of allowing the child to get prone with the internet (Alcock, 2012). With the use of the current digital devices and Smartphone’s, the use of the internet can impact a child negatively for example, when they start to visit the XXX hardcore websites. It is an idea that will distort the child’s mind as a result of the explicit contents. To some of the parents, they have a perception that through the use of internet by the child, it helps them a lot in always being at a position to know where their child is at any given time. In one interview, a parent admitted that it is better for the child to spend their evenings on internet, rather than wandering in town. Might this be a positive influence in the child’s upbringing? Well, some experts argue that such acts are a negative influence to the child. For example, a good parental control should be reflected in the child when they become adults. It raises the question, why do some children end up in the streets as robbers or smugglers after undergoing good parental control? True to their sayings, only few children reflect future prototypes of either a liberal or an authoritarian parent. In this paper, it takes turn analyzing the significance of parental control to a child (Allen & Brinig, 2015).

The Literature Review on Parental Control

According to Ainsworth, Salter, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, (2013), when it comes to family lives, it is important to note that the parents basically have got a responsibility to undertake as far family existence is concerned. Parental responsibility can be best described as the situation in which in a given family, a parent has got a sole requirement of for both the care, as well as to the sustenance of the well-being of a child. Through the given responsibility demand, the parent is therefore at a position reaching significant decisions regarding the family. Examples of the imperative decisions include; food, education, shelter, clothing, medical attention as well as to the other basic requirements that a child may be in need of. In this assessment paper, it mainly takes turn analyzing the basis of a parental control (Ainsworth, Salter, Blehar, Waters, & Wall, 2013). On the contrary, Ambert, (2012) believes that the parents can be absent in the life of their children and this can have little or no negative impact on the children. The children can also contribute much in making of decisions that pertains to their education among other issues. This argument however valid, it cannot be realistic since a child cannot determine or know what is good for him or her. The source gives a comprehensive information that can be used to determine the different other approaches about the parental controls.

Who has parental responsibility?

Couple who are married, and have gotten the opportunity to be blessed with children, are the individuals who routinely encompass a form of parental control. At the same time, some of the individuals might be having children, but they are not yet married or they do not live together at all. Still under this situation, they also do have a mechanical parental responsibility unto their offspring. At the same time, there are situations in which parents might live together in form of marriage, but later on part ways as a result of divorce. In the event that the separate from being one family, the parental control still endures as the children are still in need of the basic requirements (Ambert, 2012).

What happens if someone new gets parental responsibility?

To most of the individuals, they still find it as a challenge on what happens when a different individual gets the opportunity of providing parental responsibility. It is important to note that various entities are at a position of providing parental responsibility at ago. However, there are certain instances in which the parental responsibility can be revoked. Examples of the scenarios are when a child is adopted after losing their parents. At the same time, it can also occur in the situation in which the third party acquires authority to be responsible for the given child, from a court of law. When an individual gets the opportunity of parental responsibility, they take the initials; “Guardian”

Benefits of parental responsibility

There are numerous benefits that are attached to parental control. Among them include the following:

Academic achievement: - When a parent is responsible for the undertakings of their children, chances are high that they will attain success in their academic endeavours. It is as a result of the belief in their child, as being at a position of performing better as far as academic standards are concerned (Allen, & Brinig, 2015). When a parent is responsible, the child will be at a position of learning self-discipline subsequent to practising of obedience not only to their parents, but also to the society at large.

Self-control: - To the parents who exercise control and responsibility on their children, they often set confines as well as the enforcement of limits. Apart from developing the desire of self-esteem, the children are at a position of practicing self-control (Ambert, 2012).

Responsibility: - When a parent is in control and at the same time responsible about the affairs of the children, they child will tend to take the steps of their parents. Through this, it leads to the child developing the habit of being independent in nature. It involves their ability of being able to exercise control in their day to day activities, as well as being compromise in nature (Ambert, 2012).

Demerits of parental responsibility

Helicopter parenting: - it is true that parental responsibility is an important element in a child’s development but still, it has got its negative implications on the child if not handle with caution. One of the major responsibilities of a parent is that they should offer education opportunities to their children through paying up of fees as well as offering the school going essentials (Ambert, 2012). However, recent studies show that some of the parents take the participation kind of too far. For instance, they become too attached to the school to the extent of which they start becoming a distraction to the particular child (Alcock, 2012).

Literature review conclusion

In conclusion to this literature review, it is important to note that parental responsibility is a very important component from a parent to a child. Ones you are a parent, you have an obligation of providing for the child’s both physical as well as to their emotional needs. It therefore means that each and every parent has got a responsibility of being present and familiar when major decisions about a child is being undertaken (Allen, & Brinig, 2015). Examples of the given decisions include matters dealing with education, healthcare as well as other basic necessities that a child should have. While there are countess benefits of parental responsibility, it is still important for an individual to understand the fact that when there are no limitations in offering of guidance to a child, it might lead to implicating the future life of the given child. It must however be noted that there are some authors who advocate for some kind of freedom to be given to the children so that they can choose what they need. Among the things include the schools they attend and the choice of the clothing that they have. His will increase their chances of getting independent and able to make proper decisions as they develop in their lives (Ambert, 2012).

Body paragraph

Who Exercises Parental Control?

When it comes to parental responsibility, individuals who undertake liability of the children according to stipulated law are couples. They might not be living together, but it is important to note that as long as they have children, they immediately become responsible for given parental control. In order to become responsible for given parental control, there has to be a child, who is born by the said couple (Alcock, 2012). On the other hand, there is also a possibility for other persons who are not biological parents to take parental responsibility of particular children. A common example is when a given child falls orphan, hence undergoes adoption by other relative guardians. In the event that they assume the responsibilities of the given child, then they are therefore liable of exercising parental control. In general, it is of great significance to recognize the fact that those who implement parental control on particular children, is as a result of their stepping up, on the given child’s responsibility (Ainsworth, Salter, Blehar, Waters & Wall, 2013).

Positive Significance of Parental Control

Even though most of the individuals presume it to be a way of incepting responsibilities in one’s budget, one should note that parental control assists a lot in terms of significance. For example, as a result of parental control, chances are high that the particular child will excel in terms of academic prosperity. It is as a result of the belief in their child, as being at a position of performing better as far as academic standards are concerned (Allen & Brinig, 2015). When a parent is responsible, a child is at a position of learning a form of self-discipline. Self-control is another reason behind the prosperity in the field of academics. For example, to the parents who exercise control and responsibility on their children, they often set confines as well as the enforcement of limits. As a whole, one would tell that excellence in academics is also as a result of responsibility in that, when a parent is in control and at the same time responsible about the affairs of the children, they child will tend to take the steps of their parents.

Negative Implications of Parental Control

Despite the positive importance of parental control, it also exhibits negative implications for example, the practice of Helicopter parenting. It is an implication that often arises, in the event those persons responsible for the parental control, ends up mishandling the entire process. Helicopter parenting, takes place in the event that a given parent tend to be more overprotective, in reference to the stipulations and controls of parental control. One of the major responsibilities of a parent is that they should offer education opportunities to their children through paying up of fees as well as offering the school going essentials (Ambert, 2012). Nevertheless, recent studies show that some of the parents take the participation kind of too far. For instance, they become too attached to the school to the extent of which they start becoming a distraction to the particular child. From the above discussion, one can conclude that helicopter parenting is a perfect example of negative influences of parental control.

Summary Review

From the above analysis, this paper comes to support on the topic f discussion – parental control. It is as a result of the tremendous benefits that are achieved, in the exercising of parental control on a particular child. As at the time that an individual takes the name and role of parenthood, they have an obligation of conditioning the child’s both physical as well as to the mental needs. Parents or guardians, also have the responsibility of being present, at any given event that major decisions regarding the child are being arrived at. Examples of the given decisions include matters dealing with education, healthcare as well as other basic necessities that a child should have (Ambert, 2012). While there are countess benefits of parental responsibility, it is still important for an individual to understand the fact that when there are no limitations in offering of guidance to a child, it might lead to implicating the future life of the given child. It must however be noted that there are some authors who advocate for some kind of freedom to be given to the children so that they can choose what they need.

References

Ainsworth, Salter D.M, Blehar,M.C, Waters, E. B & Wall, S (2013).Patterns of

attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Alcock, J. (2012) The triumph of sociobiology. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Allen, D. W & Brinig, M. (2015) “Se, property rights and divorce.” European

Journal of Law and Economics 5(3): 211-233 ,

Ambert, A (2012) Families in the new millennium. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.