Normative experiences are life events that typically happen in a person’s life course, for example marriage, birth of a child, death of family or friends, divorce, etc. In particular the experience of a child’s birth is not one everyone experiences, however it is a huge life alternating life event for those who do experience it. Brining a child into the world more often than not changes a person daily life and the course of their life long-term. Having a child is such an immense life change that it can shape people in many different ways. While having a child is a life changing experience, this encounter can also vary depending on the age a person has a child. Some people may have children very early on in their life course, while other have …show more content…
Erica and Nancy showed that there is different sides and experiences that people go through when they have children. While some may be more prepared for this particular normative experience like Nancy, others may not. I’ve learned that when a person has a child the main determinates that contribute how the experience will be for you are finances, social support, and overall maturity and being mentally ready to become a parent. What I learned from interviewing Erica that not only are finances essential in childbearing but also being mentally healthy. From Erica I learned that while superficially things seem okay and bills are getting paid, if a person is not ready to have a child they will mentally check out, become resentful, and even pass on their responsibilities to a parent or family member. This is likely a contributor in why there are many cases of kinship care with children of teen parents. From Nancy I learned that while money is not everything in this world, it does become a great tool when child bearing. Because of her stability Nancy was able to still have a good relationships with her husband since there weren’t any financial issues. In addition she was also able to live her life and have the best of both worlds, which was still keep her career and hire a nanny as well as be a mother. Nancy also taught me that social support is very much needed in order to not feel overwhelmed with your child. I noticed that this normative experience impacted these two people’s lives tremendously. While one seemed really happy and have it together, the other seemed lost and confused about her life.it was very clear that Nancy seemed to be in a better place emotionally then Erica. Erica’s demeanor when I asked her the questions seemed resentful yet
They do not live together, and Jane finds herself having to take care of the baby by herself, while her boyfriend is working and unable to help out most of the time (Urman, 2015). The larger the gap is in terms of childcare responsibilities; the more problems couples tend to have (Berk, 2014). This is especially true for Jane and her boyfriend, leading to them breaking up rather quickly as a result, as well as differences in parenting and her attention being solely on their son rather than their relationship as a couple. It is abnormal for parents to separate following a childbirth, but the two work out their differences quickly and decide to have shared custody of their child even though they decide to no longer be together. (Urman,
W. S. Ross once said “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” As simple as this quip may sound, its complex implications are amplified through the life of every person born since the beginning of humanity. What attribute makes a mother such an extraordinary influence over her young? One such attribute is the ability to nurture. Beyond the normal challenges of cooking, cleaning, schooling, singing, feeding, and changing is the motivation by which such sacrifices are made possible. One cannot raise a child without mutual respect. Emotion and anxiety must drive her instincts. Her ability to foster is only heightened by minute personal imperfections and overwhelming responsibility that lead to a lack of confidence. Yet the prevailing characteristic that separates a ‘birth giver’ from a ‘mother’ is the unconditional, undying, and at times underestimated love for her child. To be a mother in the purest sense, she must embrace this notion of nurture.
As Moms, we are always hopeful that we will deliver perfect children, and most of the time we do. When Mother Nature steps in though, and that doesn’t happen, it’s those parents that step up to the plate to raise and love that child that deserve the accolades. One such family that I personally know is my daughter-in-law. Her younger brother is a special needs child and she grew up as a middle-child with the focus on the younger brother. She recently graduated with a degree in Special Needs Education, but instead chose to pursue another path with younger children. After a life-time of dedication to her younger brother, she decided to take a break. When I met her family, I was in awe of the love and care, the dedication to the brother and the sacrifices that the other family made in order to raise him at home. He just turned twenty-two and graduated from a special school, with honor and pride. Much of what I read in this amazing book remin...
The most compelling data that we have shows the change in our American family structure. Day there are alarming number of children with mental disorders and children being raised in single parent homes has increased. In both areas it is shown that we need more preventive care (Petersmeyer 1989). Other statistics are equally troubling: each day in the United States, 3,600 students drop out of high school, and 2,700 unwed teenage girls get pregnant (Petersmeyer 1989). As a society we have a responsibility to our youth to help them become strong adults. My grandmother was always telling me that it takes more then the immediate family to raise a child well, if a child is to be rear well it takes a whole community contribution.
Around the 1950’s, the media perpetuated the idea of the picturesque family unit; children made the shift from being a necessary evil to a symbol of status. Children were no longer meant to help sustain the family, so much as meant to be trophies of the parents’ competentness. Children became an outlet for parents to mold and live through vicariously: the more perfect your child was, the better parent you were. The problem is not that people want to have children, but that many cannot afford to take care of their spawn. Whether you are a young mother utilizing the assistance of government programs such as WIC or simply writing off your children on your taxes, you are making use of government incentive to procreate. Reproduction is completely natural; however, once backed by government incentive, the motivations for having children can take an unnatural turn. Children may be a symbol of love and unity, but it has expanded beyond the family unit. Many children have become the responsibility of the Unite...
Children and families have various issues that must be addressed when they are in facing difficulties. The family dynamic offers multiple perceptions and needs, these may require addressing matters individually as well as on a group level. There may be matters such as domestic violence or substance abuse which requires both individual and family counseling and resources. In times of crisis families need education and coping strategies in order to regain their lives back. The necessities of the family may entail emotional and medical support requirements depending on their situation. When there is a possible case involving violence the focus may turn to more than medical and emotional support and possible removal of the children from the home may be required. Single mothers’ needs may be comprised of employment, education, shelter, food, child care and assistance with medical and child support. In some cases counseling and a support resource may be all that is required. When a divorce occurs, the needs which were once met by a two parent family now rest on the shoulders of ...
Having a stable parental foundation is crucial in raising a healthy child. Furthermore, deciding on the parenting style of preference also plays a significant factor in ensuring the development of a flourishing child. Certainly there were flaws in my parent’s parenting methods, having made both positive and negative influences in my progression through my childhood. With the intentions of becoming a parent in the near future I hope I can one day provide my children with the same healthy experience that my own father and mother have.
...as an individual, still finding a sense of closeness with their caregiver. The perceptions that are formed as an infant are progressively construed to structure who we are, what we do, and why we do the things we do. These long-term effects appear to grow and are constructive as internal working models which shape our behavior, self perception, sense of self, and our expectations of other people.
As times continually change, it is inevitable that statistics will change as well. For each student that fails to graduate from high school, another statistic comes about. An American epidemic that forever seems to be looming on the horizon is the issue of teenage parenting and pregnancies. According to an article pertaining to teen pregnancies compiled from teenhelp.com, the United States has been deemed the leading nation for teenage pregnancies in the Western industrialized world. Due to this statistic, it is important to evaluate what can be done to set up teenage parents for success, as well as what can be done for children born in to young families. In an article on teenage parenting compiled by Linda Mangel, it is said that nearly seventy percent of teenage mothers do not complete their secondary education, and because of this, it becomes evident that a solution is crucial. Secondary schools would benefit from considering the implementation of daycare systems in order to increase the graduation rate for teen parents.
What is a family without a parent? A good parent has the image of a provider. Parent is the one that meets all the material needs of the household. The one who worries that nothing lacks to his/her children. Works double shifts and weekends. A good parent has not yet met the present needs, when others have been created; he/she wears out feverishly. But yet he/ she still have time to have the unique experience of seeing the children grow. Having children is a major life-course event no matter what country people live. Children alter how men and women live and how they can allocate their time. Money is required to support children, and there is also more to do in the households with children. Historically, women have done the extra work chil-dren create. Who engenders ch...
After reviewing and seeing what many mothers and young teenage mothers go through on what seems like an everyday basis one starts to wonder what really goes on behind closed doors with these mothers. What are they really like when its just them and their baby? How do they act around certain people (family, friends, and neighbors)? What has pregancy been like for them? What is it like knowing they have no more freedom but more responsibility on their hands?
Duvall’s Family Development and Life Cycle Theory states that families follow a predictive and individual process of development that is dependent on the family’s circumstances and interactions. Though families today are more diverse than in the past, this theory still guides nursing approaches because it examines families’ experiences and how they adapt when becoming parents (Rowe Kaakinen, Padgett Coehlo, Steele, and Tabacco, 2015). In this discussion, I will choose one of the development tasks from Duvall’s theory and discuss how I would apply it to a family in my nursing practice.
Umberson, D., Pudrovska, T., & Reczek, C. (2010). Parenthood, childlessness, and wellbeing: A life course perspective. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 612-629. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2010.00721.x
Whether planned or unplanned, change can cause disruption to one’s stable environment if not handled in the correct way (McGarry, Cashin, & Fowler, 2012). Having children was a positive planned change for me. The decision has greatly improved my well-being and outlook on life. My thought process was changed the instant I held my first child. From that point on, every decision I make is centered on how it will affect them. Motherhood has opened my eyes to the realization that change occurs every day and there is no halting the process. As I watch my children grow, I emotionally embrace each unforeseen moment that comes with it.
Some parents believe that while they had a partner who equally contributed in the making of a life that was brought into the world, they should be held accountable and be responsible for the child as well. Whether or not the parents of the child are married, it is possible for both parents to remain active participants in the child’s life and still share the responsibility of raising them. When you are a single, adult person, you have one main responsibility, and that is the responsibility to care for yourself. That’s it, just you! However, when you and your partner or significant other agrees to have children, you must understand that the duty of raising healthy, responsible individuals starts with understanding the role as parents. Of course you don’t have to be a perfect parent to raise healthy, highly intelligent children. You are, however, absolutely crucial in your child’s life simply because you are your child’s parent. We only have one chance with our children, so while they are young, we must make the most of it. This is the window of opportunity to build a...