I think the biggest problem facing families today is the role of the parents being put on to someone or something else. Many people don't spend the time needed to really raise their children. Children are left to sit and watch large amounts of television or play video games when they should be spending time with their parents. Also, many of the children that are in daycare only see their parent's minutes a day. I am taking Adolescent Psychology and we read in the book that the average father spends 12 minutes one on one with his children per day. I am not knocking mothers having to work outside the home, because my little girl is in daycare part time while I attend school. However, I do think that there is a problem when a child is left there more the just work hours. One of the little boys in my daughters class is there from 6 to 6 even on his mothers day off, and according to the teachers in this room, this is limited to just this one child. Stephanie Coontz states that most women wouldn't quit work even if they could because they "are not willing to surrender the increased leverage it gives them in the family". What a CROCK! Most of the women I have come in contact with would LOVE to stay home with their children if there were any way to do so financially and those that would stay at a job just for leverage aren't very good mothers. We as parents need to put our children's needs first, yes there are times when I would rather lock myself in my room and let them fend for themselves but as a mother I know that I have to be sure they are fed, washed and homework is done. Also children need nurture that they can't get from daycare or after school programs! I have a friend with a 12-year-old son. This child has been in and out of trouble with his school and with the law. His parents are the nicest people you would ever want to meet but they have no clue what they are doing to their child.
