Ted Portillo

Advanced General Psychology

Instructor: Denson-Smith

February 24,2012

Abstract An alarming trend in today’s society can be

summed up into three simple words, kids raising kids.

Parental values are some of the basic fundamentals for social order, but lack tremendously in today’s generation of children

Introduction

Children rely on their parents from birth up until they are able to think on their own. What happens during that child development stage? Who is responsible for their children’s personality and upbringing? Why are children becoming more disobedient and less attentive to their parents? In this study I try and find the answers to some of these questions and see why parents are spending less time with their children?

• Children are becoming more disobedient• More cases of children misbehaving in

school and getting involved with substance abuse.

• More grandparents are raising their grandkids

• With the growing rate of divorce, more children are placed in different homes.

• Young parents tend to not realize the importance of parenting and continue to follow their single life habits.

• Children are often left unattended by the parents to do other activities.

Problem Statement

When a baby is born, he/she relies on the parents to nurture it. I want to bring awareness that these fragile beings need their parents more than they need someone else, grandma, television, or toys.

I want parents to know the importance of spending time with their children is very important.

Research Question Why are parents spending less

time to raise their children?

Divorce Rate Effect

The increase in divorces across the country is diminishing the traditional biological parenting practices.

The child spends less time with each parent.

The child does not learn the equivalence of parenting values through both sets of parents, if one parents leaves and does not return in the child’s life.

Too Young to be a Parent: Some parents are children themselves,

and can provide less value to their own children in life situations.

Some young parents do not mature enough to take responsibility.

These young parents rely on their own parents to watch over the children as they go out on the town.

Media Effect:

The rise in popularity of having children at younger ages has become a custom or norm in society.

The media influences younger generations to act like adults, which in turn can cause these young adults to become early parents.

Sex is prevalent and dominant in all entertainment areas.

Literature Review United Kingdom Effects of parenting and poverty researchers wanted to look at the stressors

involved in poverty, social support, resilience, and coping with parenting (Backet, 2004).

study found that parents in poverish situations were in greater stress and in much worse physical health, but that there were not that many differences from their child’s physical and behavioral problems (Backet, 2004).

parents who were lacking in parenting felt unsupported by either their spouse or community and those who felt well supported were the ones who felt best at coping with parenting (Backet, 2004).

Literature Review Contd. Children's prosocial behavior was rated by

parents at ages 3, 4, and 7 and by teachers at age 7.

Parental positivity was indexed by positive feelings and positive, no coercive discipline, and parental negativity was indexed by negative feelings and coercive, punitive discipline” (Knafo, Ariel; Plomin, Robert, 2006).

study the genetic and environmental factors that help children become prosocial

parents who show positive feelings and motivation will tend to get children who are more prosocial than that of children whose parents displayed the opposite aggressive and negative feelings towards their children.

Recommendation• Spend more time with your child• Seek counseling if you don’t know what to do • Leave grandma and grandpa out unless it is very necessary• Children only have ONE set of parents• Toys are not nannys• You need a break, but not every night and weekend• Your responsibility• They would rather want you• TURN OFF THAT TV (no one has died from no TV)

ReferencesKnafo, Ariel; Plomin, Robert . (Jan 2006): Parental discipline and

affection and children's prosocial behavior: Genetic and environmental links. Journal of Personality and Social

Psychology 90. 1: 147-164.Backett-Milburn, Kathryn. (Dec 2004): Parenting in Poor Environments: Stress, Support and Coping. Journal of Marriage and Family 66. 5 1346-1347

About the Author Born In Mexico

Married, two children Studying for MFT Desired Career:

Professor and Counselor

Graduating in 2012 LOVE MY FAMILY!!! Very blessed man!