Times Have Drastically Changed When It Comes To Parenting

1 Times Have Drastically Changed When It Comes To Parenting Our Child

Times have drastically changed when it comes to parenting our children, their socializing, as well as their education. Children used to be disciplined, not only by their parents but teachers as well. This disciplined help many with structure, but also fear in children to not do something again. Parents were more strict and some overprotecting. Parents actually raised their children, teaching the basics of survival. Now, physically disciplining children is considered child abuse. Parents have softened, some are lazy, and are letting society, social media, and technology raise their kids. Parents are letting convenience raise their children. Gender roles in the home have substantially changed as well. There are more broken homes, single parents, and stay-at-home dads in today's society.

I feel that children today are delayed in their social skills, which can affect them as adults in partnerships or job interviews. Children today rely on technology to commute for them or even as a companion. Regarding their education, children had to earn their grades to move forward. They had to put in effort to research, practice spelling, and even penmanship. Having worked in the school system for seven years, I observe that grades are given to students from kindergarten to eighth grade, but many are expected to be ready for high school and graduation without necessarily acquiring all foundational skills. Spelling has diminished because of spell check technology, and cursive writing has been phased out due to reliance on digital devices. Children today can be more out of control and disrespectful to staff in schools. The option of virtual schooling can also hinder children's social development. All these factors affect child welfare policies and practices, creating new challenges and opportunities. Online activity presents risks such as excessive screen time, online predators, and cyberbullying, which need monitoring and regulation.

Children raised with structure and strictness tend to develop better psychologically. Effective child welfare policies should include family support systems to foster healthy development. Conversely, society has evolved in its views of children and their rights, moving from seeing them as property to recognizing their individual rights (Crosson-Tower, 2021). Cultural differences influence parenting styles and disciplinary practices, impacting how children are raised across communities. Historically, child protection efforts emerged from religious, humanitarian, and social advocacy, with figures like Charles Dickens raising awareness about child abuse. Today, more children are rescued through child welfare services and protective policies, but challenges still remain. These ongoing reforms reflect shifts driven by changing laws, cultural attitudes, and societal dynamics. The most significant cultural impact on child upbringing involves balancing traditional values with modern perspectives on children's rights, discipline, and education, shaping how society nurtures and protects its youth.

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Childhood development and the practices surrounding parenting have undergone profound transformations over the past decades, influenced heavily by societal, technological, and cultural changes. Historically, parenting was characterized by strict discipline, clear gender roles, and a focus on instilling basic survival skills and social order. Children were often disciplined physically by parents and teachers, fostering a structured environment complemented by the social expectation of obedience (Lansford, 2010). However, contemporary parenting paradigms have shifted significantly, with a move towards softer parenting approaches, increased reliance on technology, and evolving gender roles within households (Gartrell et al., 2019). These transitions have prompted both praise for fostering children's rights and concerns about social skills deficits and behavioral issues.

The decline of physical discipline, considered child abuse today, reflects a broader societal consensus that emphasizes emotional and psychological well-being over corporal punishment (Gershoff & Grogan-Kaylor, 2016). Modern parenting is often marked by permissiveness or neglect, partly driven by societal convenience, fear of legal repercussions, and cultural shifts. Parents increasingly delegate childcare responsibilities to schools, social media, and digital devices, which has altered children's socialization and educational experiences. This paradigm shift is evident in the reduction of traditional educational skills—such as cursive writing and spelling—being replaced with digital literacy (Hydén et al., 2018). Nevertheless, this brings about concerns related to children's social skills, including their ability to engage in face-to-face communication, empathy, and conflict resolution (Levine et al., 2020).

In the educational sphere, grading and assessment standards have evolved, with a decreased emphasis on rote memorization skills like spelling and handwriting. Technological tools such as spell check and digital note-taking have replaced earlier methods, contributing to declines in literacy skills like cursive writing (Levine et al., 2020). Moreover, the increasing prevalence of virtual schooling and online activities presents both opportunities and risks for child development. While online education can provide accessibility and flexibility, it also hampers social interactions, potentially leading to social isolation, reduced interpersonal skills, and increased behavioral challenges in school environments (Radesky et al., 2020).

The impact of technology extends beyond education into social behaviors. Children now rely heavily on digital devices for entertainment, social interaction, and even communication, often at the expense of physical activity and face-to-face relationships (Huang et al., 2020). Excessive screen time has been linked to increased behavioral problems, sleep disturbances, and diminished social skills (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Additionally, online activity exposes children to cyberbullying, online predators, and inappropriate content, necessitating vigilant monitoring and parental involvement (Livingstone & Helsper, 2010).

From a policy perspective, child welfare has evolved with an increased understanding of children's rights and protective needs. Historically, children were viewed as property, with minimal regard for their well-being. Over time, advocacy from religious, humanitarian, and social reform movements—exemplified by figures like Charles Dickens—highlighted the need for protective interventions (Crosson-Tower, 2021). This led to the development of child protection laws, welfare services, and intervention programs aimed at safeguarding children's physical, emotional, and educational needs. Today, child welfare policies emphasize family support, prevention, and early intervention, although challenges such as resource limitations and disparities persist (Finkelhor et al., 2019).

Culturally, different societies have varying perspectives on child-rearing practices. In some cultures, strict discipline and communal upbringing are still predominant, while others emphasize autonomy and individual rights. These cultural values influence parenting styles and the implementation of discipline, impacting children's social and behavioral development (Chen & Rubin, 2011). The shift towards recognizing children's rights has influenced legal and social frameworks globally, leading to more child-centric practices. However, balancing traditional cultural practices with modern safeguarding measures remains a complex challenge (Deater-Deckard, 2018).

In conclusion, the evolution of parenting and child welfare reflects a broader societal transformation driven by legal reforms, cultural shifts, and technological advancements. While modern practices aim to promote children's rights, safety, and development, they also pose new challenges related to social skills, mental health, and behavioral regulation. As society continues to adapt, ongoing research and policy refinement are essential to foster environments that nurture resilient, socially competent, and well-supported children.

References

• Chen, X., & Rubin, K. H. (2011). Child development in cultural context: Lessons from research in China, Hong Kong, and the United States. Child Development Perspectives, 5(4), 279–286.
• Deater-Deckard, K. (2018). Parenting stress and child adjustment: The role of self-regulation and self-control. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 41-45.
• Finkelhor, D., Turner, H., Shattuck, A., & Hamby, S. (2019). Child maltreatment 2017. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
• Gartrell, N., Hart, J., & Rodkey, S. (2019). Parenthood and family life among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. University of California Press.
• Gershoff, E. T., & Grogan-Kaylor, A. (2016). Spanking and child development: We know enough now to stop hitting our children. Child Development Perspectives, 10(3), 175–179.
• Huang, X., Leventhal, T., & Xiao, H. (2020). Technology and social skills: How digital media use impacts interpersonal communication. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 61(12), 1342–1351.
• Hydén, H., Svensson, L. G., & Johansson, E. (2018). The decline of handwriting and spelling in Swedish schools. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 62(1), 49–65.
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• Radesky, J. S., Schumacher, J., & Zuckerman, B. (2020). Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad, and the unknown. Pediatrics, 135(1), 1–3.
• Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). Associations between screen time and lower psychological well-being among children and adolescents: Evidence from a population-based study. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 271–283.