WHO IS THE BETTER PARENT?

Raising the next generation is probably the most important responsibility of families worldwide. All initial social learning and personal development take place in the family. The family is where children’s characters are formed. By family, what is meant is the father the mother and siblings as well as the extended family including grandparents. In the past, it was the men folk who had the responsibility of putting food on the table and it was the women who were the home makers, which meant that the women were the primary care givers. This is not the case anymore so claiming that women make better parents is nonsensical.

It is often claimed that men are incapable of sharing emotions, expressing love, concern, empathy and the like, which makes men boorish and unfeeling robots. This is far from being the case evidenced by the many warm friendships, relationships and marriages involving men. If men are capable of complex emotions in other walks of life it is safe to assume that they will be equally capable of such feelings in relation to their kids. The real problem is the mind set in society not men per se. In the modern world, there are plenty of stay at home dads, male primary school teachers, pediatricians and the like and they seem to manage just fine.

It has also been claimed that the mother is the better role model but this doesn’t make sense either. The only reason why the mother is claimed to be the better role model is because she is available; or more correctly she used to be available. In the modern world both parents work to provide for their family; a single pay check is no longer an option. This being the case, it is whichever adult is available who is the role model. There is also the issue of gender: sons are hardly going to emulate their mothers for instance. Girls need female role models and boys need male role models. As for valued emotions like sympathy and empathy, these feelings are not in the review of women; men are capable of them too and can, therefore teach them. Lastly, the mother may have personal problems like alcohol abuse, drug addiction or illness; she may have to work longer hours than her husband. What is to be done in this case? Surely it is better to have the father look after the kids and not any female baby sitter just because she is a woman.

Last of all, children grow close to whoever looks after them, grows close to them, spends time with them and shares their daily trials and tribulations. Therefore denying fathers the opportunity to do this by saying a man’s job is not to take care of children is wrong and unfair to the father. In these difficult times, children should be allowed to enjoy all the love and care they can get to be able to grow into healthy members of society.

In conclusion, delegating childcare to women under the misguided impression that women are better parents is an idea that is linked to 19^th century social structure and has nothing to do with the way modern society functions. People should keep up with the times and allow children to enjoy the love and attention of their fathers as well as their mothers.