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Is it better for children to be raised by stay-at-home parents?
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| Yes | 54% | 1611 votes | Total: 2974 votes | |
| No | 46% | 1363 votes |
Yes
by A.W. Berry
Created on: August 20, 2007 Last Updated: December 05, 2008
The development of a child is greatly influenced by their home life and what at happens at home in child rearing years. It is good to allow children the freedom to learn and grow on their own however, it is not necessarily a good idea for children to be left alone for hours on end unattended. There are many advantages to a child when a parent can be at home more often especially when that parent is actively involved in their development through parental participation. Not being there for a child can have a considerable impact on child's life; nutritional and medical needs, emotional and psychological development, socialization and educational goals are just a few of the things a parent ideally facilitates and provides for. When two parents are working the chance some of these things will fall by the wayside increases. What's more the most important thing a child needs is love and when a parent is either not around or tired from a day's work, love too can take a backseat. It is simply imperative for a child to have a parent around when they are growing up and especially in the early years.
Having a parent at home can allow for parenting opportunities and requirements that can't be as effectively employed by households where both parents are employed full time. A stay at home parent or family can impact a number of areas in a child life and growth. Some of these things are listed below:
*Time and Love to attend to not so recognizable childhood needs
*Better oversight and management of children's medical, educational, nutritional individual and social needs
*Improved facilitation of family life vital to a healthy growing environment
*Observation time to understand and attend to a child's unique traits
*Greater emergency response capacity to potential childhood crisis moments
Advocates of dual employed parents may provide several reasons why one or more parents don't need to be at home to parent. While some of these arguments have merit i.e. account for some of the needs of children, it is not always the case such solutions equivocate to full capacity responsible parenting and an at home parent can provide. The following examples illustrate this point.
*Nannies are helpful but aren't replacement Mom's and Dad's. They weren't always there nor will they always be there in the future. Nannies aren't long term fixtures. -Maternity leave is useful, but this is the can be thought of as the minimum amount of time needed for the Mother's health and the baby's most basic needs. -Day care is good during the day, but the day is 24 hours long and day care is about a 1/3 of a day. -Vacation time may allow some time for kids but vacations don't often last for more than a couple to a few weeks. -Part-time parenting doesn't add up to full time parenting which means a child's needs are only being met by parents some of the time. -Robots can't provide the same loving attention to detail humans can.
*Health can also be a factor that is influenced by stay at home parents. Specifically, greater attention to health issues and the little aspects of a childs health can allow a parent to more quickly spot potential health patterns and/or complications. Additionally, Children's immune systems are compromised due to their lack of development and a child's early years are vital to their effective functioning in the World when they are older.
While it is not untrue a child or children can be raised by two working parents, a situation in which a parent stays at home can logically provide a more stable, functional and suitable environment for a child to be raised. Extended families aren't necessarily the solution either because aunts, uncles and grandparents have their own roles in family life and those roles are important but can't replace the roles of parents. Parents are very special family caregivers, leaders, role models, teachers and providers for children and they are essentially irreplaceable. Consequently, it is ideal to have an at home parent during a child's upbringing whenever possible.
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Sources:
http://homeparents.about.com/cs/stayathomemoms/a/nanny.htm http://www.whereincity.com/guides/parenting-guide/articles/tips-for-parents.php http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/social_justice/sj00188.html
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No
by Carol Gioia
Created on: August 12, 2007 Last Updated: July 15, 2009
Is it better for children to be raised by stay-at-home parents is a never-ending debate. Raising children is a challenge under any circumstances.
Working parents often have a greater challenge in balancing the quality versus quantity time spent with the child, and insuring emotional needs are fulfilled.
Stay-at-home parents sometimes have the greater challenge stretching the budget to meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.
Sometimes, due to distant employment, divorce or untimely death there is only one parent and the challenges of both time and money considerations are even greater.
Children need to be raised by loving, nurturing parents. Children also need a safe, stable environment where their physical and emotional needs are met. Some parents can best provide these needs with dual employment. If financial considerations require the parents to leave the child with a loving, nurturing caregiver, in a safe and stable environment, there is no reason to believe the child will not thrive as well as if the parents were on the scene 24/7.
Sincere intention is the most important factor when raising children.
Whatever the parent's availability and circumstance, when the motivation is good intention to provide all the time and requirements necessary for the child's well being, the child will be better off.
Attitude is another important factor to consider.
If the parent is ambivalent about leaving the child with a caregiver, the child will sense it and experience separation anxiety. If the parent is confident and comfortable with the daycare arrangement, the child will mirror that confidence in his behavior. Actually, studies have shown, children of working parents exhibit independence, self confidence and ability to adapt with greater ease.
A family is a tiny community unto itself. The parents of each family must do whatever is deemed necessary to meet the physical and emotional needs of all members.
It is a futile exercise in frustration to compare one family situation with another and judge one inferior. If dual employment is required, parents don't need the additional pressure of feeling guilty for leaving their child, or children, in the responsible care of others.
In my own experience, I've had the opportunity to look at the issue of working parents versus stay-at- home from various points of view.
I was a stay-at-home mother when my older four children were young, and entered the work force when they were in elementary school. My fifth child was in daycare situations from the time she was a toddler until junior high school, and then I was a stay-at-home mom again throughout my children's high school years.
My husband was a stay-at-home Dad for three years, not consecutively. When we were both working outside the home, we employed various childcare solutions. We used professional daycare facilities, in home daycare, babysitters, trusted friends and relatives.
My preference was to be a stay-at-home mom, but it was not always financially feasible. I suffered huge guilt and was convinced my children would be emotionally scarred for life as a result of having to endure both of their parents working for much of their formative years.
I am happy to report my guilt and trepidation was unfounded. All five of my adult children are productive and well adjusted, with thriving families of their own.
Today, some of them work, some of them stay at home, some of them mirror the patchwork daycare solutions of their youth. There is guilt, and ongoing debate and discussion about the "better" way to raise their children. We have all arrived at the conclusion, if you bring sincere, loving intention and a positive attitude to the situation, whether you work, or stay at home full time, your children will thrive.
All parents, whether working or stay-at-home, do the best they can do. There is no "better" way.
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