Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 53: Parental Enforcement of Decisions on Children
Parental enforcement of decisions on children has to do. with parents guiding and sometimes compelling their children to follow certain rules, behaviors, and choices that they believe are in the best interest of their children's well-being and development as a whole.
This concept involves many actions and for effective parental enforcement, a clear communication, consistency, and a good understanding of the child's growing needs, while fostering a nurturing environment that supports their overall growth and success is required.
Is it okay for parents to influence the decisions of their children? |
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Parents influencing the decisions of their children could come in different aspect which basically determines if such influence is okay or not. These aspects include;
Some Positive Aspects:
Guidance and Wisdom: typically, parents have more life experience and therefore, they can provide valuable knowledge, helping children make well informed decisions.
Safety and Well-being: for the safety of children, especially the younger ones, parents might need to enforce rules that will ensure their overall safety and well-being.
Values and Morals: in instilling values and morals while also shaping a child's character, attitudes, and principles as well, parents are needed as they play an important role here.
Potential Negative Aspects:
Overcontrol: excessive control by parents can suppress a child’s independence and the ability to think critically and make their own decisions.
Pressure and Stress: this is another area of parents influence which comes in the form of imposing certain expectations on children, especially in areas like career or lifestyle. This can lead to undue stress and resentment.
Lack of independence: too much parental influence can prevent a child's ability to effectively learn from their mistakes and develop some form of decision-making skills.
Though generally, it is acceptable for parents to influence their children's decisions, it is better and more effective when parents do it in a balanced manner that can promote growth, independence, and also, mutual respect.
During the time of marriage or when deciding a course to study in school, what is the place of parents in giving their children guidance? |
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When it comes to marriages or choosing a course of study in school which are major life decisions parents can play an important role in providing guidance and support.
To effectively offer guidance in the case of marriage, the parents place can be seen in providing advice and wisdom, emotional support, and also in n respectfully voicing any serious concerns or observations.
In the case of choosing a course to study in school, parents place can in helping their children identify their strengths, interests, providing the necessary information about different fields of study, potential career outcomes, and educational opportunities and also advising the children on the financial aspects of higher education.
In all, the approach and extent of the parent's involvement is what matters as it should be carefully balanced to respect the child's independent freedom and personal aspirations.
Can a parent actually misguide their children in decision making? |
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Parents are humans as well and all humans are prone to making mistakes so yes, parents can misguide their children in decision-making. This can happen unintentionally or intentionally.
Unintentionally could be due to lack of updated information or overprotection. Intentionally here could be due prioritizing self-interest, strong desire to control their children’s lives, or unresolved issues.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, recognizing and addressing these potential problems can help ensure that the parents guidance is effective in the children's personal growth.
Do you have any experience of your parents enforcing decisions for you against your will or experience of someone you know ? |
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This would be in my choice of higher institution, though, with time I've come to see reasons with them.
Having spent a better part of my life at Benue State, I also wanted to school (university) there as well mostly because I was familiar with the place and everyone I called "friend" stayed there.
This however, was against my parents ideas. They wanted me to school in Akwa Ibom, where according to them, I can "know my roots". Then, I never liked this decision and all the arguments I made to support what I wanted was never accepted.
At the end, I traveled back to school where I can "know my roots" and I must say, it wasn't a bad idea after all.
Conclusion |
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In conclusion, parental enforcement of decisions on children is an important aspect of a child's upbringing which involves guilding and in some cases, forcing the child or children to follow certain rules, behaviors, and choices.
While this can be beneficial in ensuring safety, instilling good values to the child, and providing necessary support, it is also essential for parents to keep a balance through open communication, mutual respect, and a focus on nurturing the child's ability to make informed and independent choices.
Thank you, @steem4nigeria for organizing this contest. I'm inviting my friends; @uduak01, @nsijoro, @whizzbro4eva, @uduak3287 and @bossj23 to participate.
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Well like everything I would say moderation is necessary. Parents especially in this particular generation should serves as guides.
Well, the thanks be to God, you came to know your roots 😁
Exactly, "moderation is necessary". Too much of anything is bad and too small as well could be bad so it's better when there's some kind of balance from both ends.
About my roots, I'm still trying to know it 'cause it seems it has numerous branches.
Huh??
Your ancestry took the phrase multiply and feel the earth very seriously.
Maintaining a balance between parental influence on decisions of their children helps both the children and their parents to look at issues in the proper perspectives. When parents might have provided the right environment at a particular time and a particular for the children, their influences should become minimal. But parents must be there to give advice.
Absolutely!
After providing all the necessary things needed, it's the parents duty to step aside, giving the child some independence to make decisions and navigate through life with the help of the advice and guidance they've instilled in the child.
This helps the child in developing some good qualities like confidence and a good self-esteem.