Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)
Lesson 12 : Role of Family, School and Peers on Overall development of School age children
Role of Family in the context of development
Family is a first social institution/ socialization agent where in child’s all round development is facilitated through providing enriched environment. The child’s developmental foundation is laid in the family where in the child acquires skills and knowledge necessary for social living. Parents contribute to child’s optimum development through providing various services and opportunities at home.
Family is the corner stone for foundation of self concept. Parents foster children’s competence by being sensitive to infant’s behavior and needs. They serve as models and reinforce mature behavior in children. They also develop children’s sense of self – esteem, humor, morality while shaping the behavior of children.
When children demonstrate independence, parents should gradually shift their responsibilities to their children. They must engage in co-regulating a transitional form of supervision which supports and protects children who are dependent.
Family fosters autonomy during adolescence and also helps in establishing meaningful personal values and life goals. Warm and supportive parent-child relations are associated with high self reliance, work orientation and academic competence.
Parenting Styles
Basically parenting styles are three types. They are
Democratic
Authoritarian
Permissive
Democratic or authoritative parents attempt to shape their children’s behavior according to precise and absolute standards of conduct. They attempt to install in their children such values as respect for tradition and they leave little room for discussion of their standards. The children’s role is simply to obey their parents without questioning.
Authoritarian parents are also quite willing to exercise control over their children but they attempt to be rational to do so. They are willing to reason with their children, explain rules and allow appropriate degree of independence.
Permissive parents are unwilling to use power or control over their children. They see themselves as accepting and non- evaluative resources to which children can turn if they need help but not as shapers of their children’s behavior. They impose few regulations on their children and place a low priority on household responsibilities and order.
Participants