Excessive Dialogue on Parenting Potentially Hindering Actual Parenting?
In the complex world we live in, the role of parenting has never been more crucial, yet more challenging. Experts across the globe are weighing in on this pressing issue, offering insights and advice to help navigate the often overwhelming landscape of modern parenthood.
One such voice is Menezes, who posits that bad parenting could be a significant contributor to issues like war, hate, killing, and bullying in the world. However, it's important to note that the term "parenting expert" is used loosely, and it's questionable if there can truly be a parenting expert.
Menezes compares parenting to a school that never lets one graduate, suggesting that it's a lifelong learning process. This sentiment is echoed by Effath Yasmin, who believes that parenting is a learned skill, not an instinct. Yasmin notes that what we assume as instinct can actually be a mix of blind beliefs, cultural bias, family norms, prejudices, or an unskilled parental approach.
The current environment of parent education may foster greater emotional intelligence in the next generation. Menezes suggests that parent education is a vehicle of social change, creating spaces where young people can share or talk and feel safe. This approach has proven effective, with Menezes' organization being invited to conduct parenting workshops in municipal schools, including the AMM School in North Chennai.
However, the landscape of parenting advice is not without its pitfalls. Giving parenting advice on social media is now a business, and influencers often make parents feel insecure about their parenting. This is further compounded by the overwhelming amount of advice from experts and influencers, making modern parenting a daunting task.
Linda Santos, a Mental Health Practitioner, believes there are many quacks offering advice on health, parenting, and nutrition. Santos advises caution when seeking advice, advocating for qualified and verified parenting resources to make life more navigable for parents.
Santos also warns against the mechanical element of parenting, combined with devices, which can lead to a loss of emotional bond and make kids more demanding. She compares a Parenting Workshop to a workshop on Diabetes, suggesting they are equally valuable.
Mansi Zaveri, Founder of Kidsstoppress, agrees with Santos, advising to be cautious of those who call themselves parenting experts. Zaveri stresses that simply checking boxes on a list does not guarantee desired results for parents. Instead, everyday parenting involves making decisions that require physical and emotional work.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. Menezes concludes that the current generation is growing up far more emotionally intelligent and will likely be more well-adjusted adults. The organization Pro Familia Schweiz, in an interview, stated that it does not aim to be an expert in the field of parent education but instead tries to bring users together with experts to help them make more conscious decisions in raising their children.
In conclusion, parenting is indeed a challenging job, one that none of us are truly qualified for. But it's also a journey of learning, growth, and change. With the right resources, support, and a willingness to learn, parents can equip their children with the emotional intelligence needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
