Differences between parenting styles of men and women
Parents have different parenting styles with regard to the care and attention they provide to their children. While mothers play a primary role in raising children, fathers too contribute immensely in the growth and development of their children. Despite the fact that parenting necessitates both parents to take active part to facilitate the complete development of children, differences in parenting styles could result in mothers and father becoming critical of their spouses’ parenting techniques and upbringing skills.
This paper aims to analyze the distinction in parenting styles of fathers as compared to mothers with the intention of exploring the role and attitude of fathers in enabling children to develop autonomy, trust and a better life. The article ‘Keeping fathers involved’ by Wade Horn (1998) explains the positive effects of father involvement in the lives of children. The article affirms that father involvement in the education of their children produces optimal results and children of involved fathers are “more likely to participate in extracurricular activities and enjoy school”.
This positive academic outcome directly results in the professional lives of children and children who receive care and attention of their fathers are more likely to “earn $1 million more” in addition to other important positive social influences including obeying the law and remaining married and “being there for their own kids as much”. The article clears the fallacy that “mothers take more naturally to parenting” and stresses importance on the fact that could be “just as capable as mothers of nurturing and bonding with children”.
Bringing out essential differences in the parenting styles, the article affirms the role of a mother as a “caregiver, manager” and “verbal,-intellectual teaching” while fathers seem to be more involved in active play. The article presents several tips for fathers to be actively present in the lives of their children beginning from pregnancy by being present during sonogram sessions and by taking active part in the childcare routing after the baby is born. Bonding activities with the child such as bedtime stories and sports and hobby session with the child also facilitate comfort and attachment.
Additionally, during the adolescent years, fathers play a crucial role in promoting autonomy and independence as compared to mothers who “encourage closeness to the family”. The article is highly educative and stresses on the role and importance of fathers in the life of children. In ‘Gender Wars’: Men and women on parenting, distinct characteristic traits of mothers and fathers are discussed by illustrating some flaws which may be apparent in their parenting styles.
while father have their own styles of raising their children, mothers can sometimes tend to be “guilty” and hence worry more which turns them into taskmasters who dictate their husbands and turn them into “assistant moms” “about what needs doing and how it should be done”. the article pints to the advantages of the distinct style of parenting which fathers due to which they can motivate children to try out new things in life and reach higher goals. “Two-career families” often have fighting parents with fathers asserting the need for “paid help” while mothers insisting otherwise and desiring to spend more time with the children.
Information present in the article informs the reader that most mothers would tend to disagree with the “rough housing and play-fighting” which fathers involve in with children since it could be “over stimulating”. on the contrary, this rough play teaches children limits of self control so that they are not engaged in rash behavior while indulging in activities like these with other children. Certain other attributes which men dislike about women are discussed such as men not liking mothers being over protective or mot being playful with their children.
Certain other differences occur in parenting styles such as mothers being able to demonstrate love, care and discipline while fathers being careless about children crying at night. While both genders may illustrate distinct attribute while parenting their children, it is important for parents to realize and understand that conflict between parents is not good for children and stresses them and could sometimes teach children to manipulate parents. it is therefore necessary for parents to behave cordially and accept each other’s distinct nurturing styles which will ultimately benefit children.
Mom vs. Dad is an article which is based on a survey discussing the differences between parents regarding their parenting styles and whether women are right in their criticisms of father’s involvement of raising their children. Modern day dads are not only confident about raising their children but are also immensely educated on parenting techniques and the importance of “showing affection and emotions” to their children. Mothers in the survey confirmed this novel change by affirming that their spouses were extremely supportive and helped tremendously in taking care of the children.
Nevertheless, mothers were not as confident of father’s parenting skills as the fathers themselves and about 50% of mothers believed that their partners did not help them with changing diapers and feeding infants. The survey confirms that maximum fathers do not volunteer to help and do so only when asked either due to the fact that they are not inclined to do so or they simply do not find enough time from their work schedules. Another important factor impacting father’s roles in the care of their children is traditional gender roles which dictate that mothers are responsible for the care and upbringing of their children.
Most mothers in the survey believed that fathers should take over at least 50% of the responsibility of their children while in a surprising revelation many fathers agreed that their wives “need to step back and allow them to parent more on their own”. However, the article presents the brighter side of parenting and most importantly housekeeping in which more and more partners were sharing their work and responsibilities, “a sea of change” responsible in making men and women “equal partners” in their household activities.
Thus, a paradigm shift is apparent in parenting roles with fathers becoming more aware of their responsibilities and functions in looking after their children. Fathers today are more aware of their responsibilities and roles, and women and mothers should encourage and motivate their male partners to take more interest in raising children. Mothers and fathers must understand that parental conflict yields negative results in children and by staying together and sharing work responsibilities their children will be able to develop into mature and independent adults.
Both fathers and mothers are important in the growth and development of children and positive attachment processes with parents in childhood, yields optimal results. Feedback is welcome on my mail at dearbpk (at symbol) yahoo. co. in References ‘Gender Wars’: Men and women on parenting. Retrieved from http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/5294466/ Horn Wade, (1998). Keeping fathers involved. Better Homes and Gardens; 76, 8; General Interest Module. Mom vs. Dad (2002). Baby Talk 67 no7 64-6, 69-70. Baby Talk material herein Copyright Time Inc. Retrieved from http://www. aoltimewarner. com/about/companies/timeinc. html
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