Adolescence by Allan Cullen

Adolescence is a challenging time for students.  With adolescence comes the necessity for autonomy and independence.  Therefore, parenting style must evolve and adapt to accommodate this change.  After reading the article Parenting Styles in Adolescents, discuss the following questions:

What strategies can parents of adolescent children use to prevent or end troublesome behavior and maintain a positive family environment?

Although people tend to utilize different parenting styles or a combination of styles it has been proven that the authoritative style is most beneficial to achieving positive results with your child. “Research findings demonstrate that an authoritative parenting style produces a number of positive developmental outcomes in adolescents. An authoritative parenting style that includes parental monitoring and supervision promotes teen’s exposure to positive activities and reduces teen’s opportunities for engaging in delinquent, risky behaviors” (Kopko, 2007). This means that the parents are not only very active in the child slide and their interests but that they are also supportive of these developmental stages and ventures. When parents are great support systems for their children the children will feel comfortable coming to them in times of confusion or when they feel dismayed, as well as the times that they have to celebrate. A great support system starts at home and the child can take that positive experience and bring it along with them as a basis for good morals and values, keeping them out of trouble.

Do family structure, dynamics and culture play a role in maintaining such an environment?

            Absolutely, as I stated before the building blocks for a well-mannered child start at home. No matter what culture they are they are taught they ways to behave by their parents. All different cultures raise their children with different values and morals but we all base them upon “being a good person”. “Although authoritative parenting is less common in ethnic minority families, this parenting style has been linked with adolescent competence across a wide range of families” (Kopko, 2007). So although this style of parenting is uncommon it is proven to benefit other cultures as well as the Americans. With stronger morals children are less likely to fall into the bad habits and immoral ideas of others.  

Kopko, K. (2007). Parenting styles in adolescents. Retrieved from http://www.myoutofcontrolteen.com/files/Parenting_Styles_and_Adolescents.pdf

Response

I am also in agreement that family structure, dynamics and culture play a critical role in maintaining a family environment. I agree and wish to build on the above explanation by showing the result which family structure has on the way teenagers turn out. In authoritative homes, adolescents learn how to engage in discussions and negotiations. They feel that their opinions are valued hence become social competent, responsible and autonomous. When it comes to authoritarian parents, the teenagers learn that following of parental rules and adhering to strict discipline is more important than independent behavior. They therefore become either dependent or rebellious. Permissive parents on the other hand teach children that there exists very few rules and boundaries. Additionally, consequences are not very serious.  This drives them to have difficulty with self-control and may demonstrate egocentric tendencies that will ultimately hinder development of peer relationship. Lastly, uninvolved parents teach adolescents that parents are only interested in their own lives and have no concern with parenting. They then become like those of permissive parents with a further demonstration of impulsive behavior.

Week 2 Discussion 1
Adolescence
Sherry White

What strategies can parents of adolescent children use to prevent or end troublesome behavior and maintain a positive family environment?
 The adolescence years are very difficult for teens. The adolescence years can become very stressful and challenging for both the child, and the parents. Teens have a lot of different developmental adjustments on their way to becoming adults (Kopko, 2007).    Adolescence need autonomy and independence they need to be able to feel and think independent. Teens need to achieve their independence because it is a huge part of their development, and adulthood. Parents should understanding of these developmental changes. Each parenting styles should help children make this change by allowing children to take on more responsibility. Young teens will make some mistakes in order to explore and learn new experiences. Parents should show the child plenty of love and support. When parents show support to the child it helps them feel good about themselves, control their behavior, have confidence, and discover who they are. Some more strategies show interest, take time to listen, set fair rules, and give children space. Children who grow up in troublesome families are more then likely to exhibit bad behaviors.

 Do family structure, dynamics and culture play a role in maintaining such an environment?
Yes the impact of parents on adolescent and experiences in family influence behavior and development outcomes. The family’s social support is the most important impact on maintaining a positive environment.  The family should have an on going positive relationship. There are several different strategies parents can use to help prevent troublesome behavior and or maintain a positive family environment. The structure, dynamics and culture plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy family environment. How the child/children develop his/her independence will be influence by the family cultural background and beliefs. A household full of anger, and conflict can have negative effects on children (Kopko, 2007). For sure children’s behavior starts with the parents at home. Parents are the main disciplinary. Each culture has different ways of discipline.   

Kopko, K. (2007). Parenting styles in adolescents. Retrieved from http://www.myoutofcontrolteen.com/files/Parenting_Styles_and_Adolescents.pdf

Response

I agree that showing love, listening to your teenage child, giving your children space and setting fair rules are all strategies that can be employed to maintain a positive family environment. It is however important to note the extent to which these strategies will be implemented. It is necessary that parents show love to their children. However, parental love shown through setting up of rules in order to keep adolescents safe or to ensure their well-being may not be interpreted as love by the teenager. This is because they tend to think rules and punishments are used by parents to simply make their lives more difficult. It is therefore important for parents to ensure that they shows love on both sides of the coin. They do not camouflage permissive parenting with showing of love.  This approach should also be reflected when listening to your teenage children, giving them space and setting of rules.

Discussion 2

By Patricia Judware

When for whatever reason grandparents have to take over raising their grandchildren, there can be many obstacles to overcome. According to Fruhauf, Pevney & Bundy-Fazioli (2015) grandparents may need help financially or otherwise and may not receive it due to either not knowing there are services out there to help them or not wanting to become involved in what it takes to receive to receive the services. There are benefits for children such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Nutritional programs such as SNAP, medical assistance and assistance for schooling.

            If the grandchildren are living with the grandparents there has to be a reason for this. Counseling would be a big help for the children and the grandparents to help them through whatever situation may have placed them where they are now. Sometimes a parent gets sick or goes to jail and if one of these are the reasons it will definitely affect the child and the child could act out or withdrawn.

            When grandparents are unaware of these services and end up going without much needed daily necessities it can lead to a burden on the family. When a family is feeling burden it can lead to the child feeling the impact outside of the home such as when they are in school.

            The New York State AARP Website has a list of many programs that can help grandparents and their grandchildren. These services include information to help with getting referrals for much needed programs. I can support children in my classroom by getting the information from this website and sharing it with the grandparents. This way the grandparents can contact these programs or I can either help them contact them or make referrals so that they receive the help they need.

References

Fruhauf, C. A., Pevney, B., & Bundy-Fazioli, K. (2015) The needs and use of programs by           service providers working with grandparents raising grandchildren. Journal Of Applied          Gerontology, 34(2), 138-157. doi:10.1177/0733464812463983

NY State AARP Fact Sheet   Retrieved from: http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/relationships/friends-family/grandfacts/grandfacts-newyork.pd

Response.

It is true that many services exist today that help grandparents when raising their grandchildren. However, most grandparents are unaware of such services in their state. Raising a child is not an easy task since it requires a lot of input in terms of time, energy and financial resources which may not be adequately available in the case of grandparents. I think it is necessary for parents to consider how much energy and resources that the grandparents must put in to raise the grandchild. For this reason, it should be the responsibility of the parents to research and find out which services are available in their state that can provide aid to the grandparents when raising their children. They should therefore  be considerate to the grandparents by not only appreciating their efforts in raising their child but also in trying to provide support through finding out the available state services that the grandparents can benefit from.

Week 2 Discussion 2
Grandparents
Sherry White

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) across the United Sates more than 5.8 million children are living in their grandparents’ homes.  When parents are not able to care for their children, the grandparents may take over parenting responsibilities. Explain the impact this type of situation may have on family relationships and the development of the child. Identify ways you, as the classroom teacher, can support children and families in this situation.

 Many children are being raised by their grandparents. Parents have many different reasons why they can’t take care of their own children, so grandparents take on the responsibilities caring for the child/children. Parents could have a drug problem, incarcerated, unwilling, military, death, neglect, or just simply incapable of caring for their children. Grandparents take on a big reasonability raising grandchildren and becoming a full-time parent. Some grandparents are not financial prepare to raise their grandchildren they need support and or medical resources. Grandparents impact the children’s life in so many ways. According to the U.S, 2010 census, there were more then 2.7 million households with grandparents taking care of young children.

  In the state of New Georgia:

 Approximately 301,254 children under age 18 live in homes where the household are grandparents or other relatives. .

47% are white not Hispanic

46% are African American

1% Asian

4% Hispanic/Latin

41% have no parents

69% are under the age or 60

25% live in poverty

The development of a child can be effected because children can suffer from emotional and social development not being with their parents. Children can also develop academic problems, behavior, depression, and anxiety in school.

As a classroom teacher you can help families with this situation by offering them services to help them, such as Medicare, or a support groups, help them reach out to the community for support. Grandparents will need all the support they can get to help them with their grandchildren.

Reference

Butler F.R. & Zakari (2005) Grandparents parenting: Assessing health status, parental stress, and social support. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 31 (3), 43-54.  

Response.

I am I agreement with your sentiments on how you, as a classroom teacher can be of help to a grandparent who is raising a grandchild. To further add on it, I believe it is important as a classroom teacher and a trained professional in the field on child psychology, to also offer psychological help.  Children raised by grandparents are more prone to experience psychological problems. As a class teacher, I believe you should constantly asses the psychological state of the child through observation. If any negative behavioral changes occur, you should contact the grandparent so as to discuss the issue, its causes and how to resolve it. This will go a long way in establishing a functional household and ensure sound psychological well-being of the child.