General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why American Kids Are Brats [View all]Arkansas Granny
(31,516 posts)There has been a big difference in child raising since I was a kid and when I was raising my kids. One of the big things I see is that many families don't spend much time together as a family unit. It hasn't been that long ago that outside of work and school, most families were togehter whether it was for meals, visiting friends or a trip to the park. This gets really hard when parents are working longer hours and everyone is on a different scedule. When you consider the number of single parents who are trying to do this, it really gets difficult.
Other observations (and I'm trying to be objective, neither condoning or condemning):
1. The influence of the media. They see kids engaging in bad behavior, bad manners and violence without consequences. Many young parents grew up with the same influences. When they see this on a regular basis they come to accept it as normal behavior. The same goes with video games.
2. The growth of the fast food industry. These meals are often eaten on the go and the family doesn't sit down together for a meal. It also trains the palate for the overseasoned, fatty foods. Many children don't get introduced to vegetables and other healthy foods when they are young and never develop a taste for them. A lot of the snacks that you would think are healthy turn out to be quite the opposite when you read the label. Many adults feel like putting a homecooked, nutritious meal on the table is very difficult. It's much easier to eat out, especially when you have worked all day long.
3. The attitude toward child discipline is much different than it was 40-60 years ago. I don't want to start a debate about corporal punishment. That's been done to death in other threads. I will say, however, that discipline does not necessarily mean punishment. It is teaching a way of living, a method of training. It includes teaching manners and consideration for others. Teaching a child to say please, thank you and excuse me is really doing them a favor. Encouraging empathy and sharing is a good thing.
4. Kids don't spend enough time palying outside. They spend hours in front of tv or playing video games. I think there are several reasons for this. A lot of kids live in apartments or other areas where there are no safe playgrounds available. Other times, parents find it easier to supervise a child who is sitting inside than to supervise them outdoors. I also think many parents have been conditioned to fear having their children snatched, even though stranger abductions really are quite rare.
5. The lack of extended families. Way back when, it was very common for several generations of a family lto live in the same area and kids got the benefit of having so many family members to care for and teach them. Families are much more mobile these days and grow up without a close family ties.
These are just personal observations. I was far from a perfect parent, if the perfect parent even exists. These are just some of the changes that I have seen in my lifetime.