Topics and Issues Within the Family: Children

This week's readings talk about children and how the affect the family. I found Lareau’s article to be very interesting and it raised many important issues that affects today’s education system. Although historically, parental involvement in schooling has been very limited, in today’s society parents play a crucial role in the education of their children. What we have noticed is that there is a large socioeconomic divide, with those of lower class seeing teachers as the educated people, and the mother’s job as being in the home. I definitely do not agree with this statement, as I believe it is important for parents to encourage and even help with the homework, and continue to teach their children even when the bell rings at the end of the day. In Hochschild’s article she points out that children watch and listen in order to learn about their own place in their parents world. Although she calls it eavesdropping, I call it observing. It’s a part of life that cannot be avoided, but it is interesting to see the example of the two girls lives and how they act differently towards their parents because of what they have overheard.

In the article entitled Transnational Childhoods: The Participation of Children in Processes of Family Migration we are given a glimpse into the life of three types of migrants. There is a great deal that is involved in the decision making process of sending a child to another country whether it be for education, self-development or those who leave their children in their birthplace so they themselves could earn money in a different country. The justification being that it is all done in order to meet the needs of the children. Overall, this week's articles address many factors involved in a child’s life. Children are important parts of society that need nurturing care and even discipline. It is important to realize that every little decision and action a parent makes seems to have a great impact on their lives.

1. Do you think there is such thing as being too involved in your child’s education? How will that affect the child? How will that impact the classroom dynamics?

2. In How Does the Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter, it states that homophobia and discrimination are the main reasons why parental sexual orientation matter, does this ignore the fact that the environment in which a person is raised shapes their lives (nurture)?

3. Do you believe that because children are not always old enough to understand everything they hear, can eavesdropping hurt them? Do parents need to have a filter when a child is around?