HHS4U - Families and Parent-Child Relationships

What are some reasons people decide to have children?

To have a sense of importance/feel needed, feeling like it is the next step in life, dream to raise children, having a “mini me”.

Why do people have children when they do?

Relationship and financial stability, biological clock, accidents, state of the economy, completed education, assault.

How do children impact the economy on a societal level?

More children means more future workers and tax payers which leads to a stronger social system (e.g. more money for government funded programs).

How do children impact the economy on a personal level?

Raising children takes on a significant role in a couples financial state. It is estimated it takes up to $1 million to raise a child from birth to the age of 25. This is a major factor as to why people postpone having kids.

What are some social impacts of having children?

Children provide social and emotional benefits to the couple, helps experience life from a new perspective, gives us personal satisfaction to do what was once done for us.

How is our health been impacted by having children?

Childbirth is a risky procedure which has made advancements in medicine in order for it to be safe. Women tend to be impacted most because they’re the ones carrying the children but this also causes men to feel left out of their child’s development.

Why do people choose not to have children?

Wants to focus on career, financial state (children are expensive), poor genetic makeup, childhood trauma, fear of pregnancy, the commitment.

What are some examples of non-traditional families?

Same-sex parenting, adoption, and blended families

Give a description of same-sex families/parenting.

Becomes the social norm from the late 1970s and officially becomes legal in 2005 (Civil Marriage Act). WLW - bear children with a sperm donor. MLM - Must use adoption or surrogacy.

Give a description of adoption.

Adoptions in Canada are rare compared to natural births. Natural births in Canada are approx 250k/year. Adoption in Canada are approx 1700/year. Adoption has fallen due to access in birth control and government assistance.

How many adoptions took place in 1980?

5300

How many adoptions took place in 1990?

2800

Give a description of blended families.

These families don’t always have to mean “blood” relations. Blended families occur when divorced parents remarry so the children are either step or half siblings.

Give a description of single parent families.

When it is 1 parent. This style has started to become more common by choice (can’t find/ doesn’t want a partner, leaving the relationship).

How much of pregnancies are planned vs unplanned?

Planned - 67%

Unplanned - 33% (only includes live births, so NOT miscarriages, abortions, etc).

Describe how planning a pregnancy shapes parenthood.

Couples who plan their pregnancy experience more marital satisfaction than couples who do not. There is less stress involved and work loads are better managed.

How does a planned pregnancy shape motherhood?

The mother is treated better and receives more support. Maternity leave is already set up, budgets are made for new purchases, and mental state is prepared.

How does a planned pregnancy shape fatherhood?

Attends medical appointments. Highly involved most times.

Describe the issues regarding unplanned pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancies are more likely to cause an unstable home situation for the child, more common amount cohabitating couples, less time to manage roles, can lead to the couple separating.

How does having children change your relationship with your partner?

Finances (higher bills, planning ahead), household duties, roles and responsibilities (changes from focusing on your partner to your children), time for intimacy.

How does having children change your other relationships?

Less time to socialize with others, form new friendships through child’s friends, kinds of social activities change, patience levels, influx of visitors after having baby.

How does teenage parenting impact society? (benefits and costs)

Benefits: longer economic contributions, reducing stigma, a stronger workforce, new parenting styles arise

Costs: Increase in reliance on the government, lot of pressure on the family, longer time to finish education, higher poverty rates.

How does teenage parenting impact children? (costs and benefits)

Benefits: Parent is more physically fit, close age gap.

Costs: Less financial support, abusive environment, social judgement.

How does teenage parenting impact parents? (costs and benefits)

Benefits: Young when finished raising children, growing up with your child.

Costs: Skipping teenagehood, hard to achieve education.

How does teenage parenting impact grandparents/extended family? (costs and benefits)

Benefits: fostering a sense of community, growing up with your grandchildren.

Costs: Having to raise children all over again, covering financial burden, might have anger involved.

What are consequences of divorce on parenting?

Change in family routine and structure, differences in parenting styles, financial issues, mental health issues, hearing about former partner’s new relationship.

What are the effects of divorce on children?

Custody arrangement, mental health of child (can be a lot to handle), activity restrictions (unable to go to after school activities because of new living arrangements).

What are the 3 different parenting styles? Give a description of each.

Authoritarian: Children should obey their children without questioning it.

Assertive: More democratic, child has input with rules, child is given independence. When rules are broken child is punishment.

Permissive: Child may set town rules and encouraged to think for themselves. When rules are broken no real consequences.

What are types of parent-child relationships?

Secure: child feels like they can depend on parent, building a secure relationship listening to child’s needs.

Avoidant: lack of security and trust between parent and child, insecure feelings - parents ignore children and their needs.

Ambivalent: Sometimes needs are not met -learned behaviour if ignored. Noticing what behaviours get attention - even if negative.

Explain difference between organized vs disorganized parenting.

Organized: provides structure and secure routine

Disorganized: causes social dysfunction and abnormal child development.

Early Canada approach to children

1870-1940, fertility rates declined as children were raised on wages not farms, child labor laws make it so children are more dependent.

Baby Boom approach to children

1946-1964, fertility rates increased to 4/mom, social policies make it easier to raise kids (baby bonus, universal healthcare)

Demographic transition approach to children

1970s, birth control is invented, legalization of abortion, marriage is delayed, fertility issues as average age rises from 20s to 30s.