HSC Core 9.3 – Parenting and Caring

Question-and-answer flashcards covering types of parents/carers, roles, preparations, influencing factors, parenting styles, rights/responsibilities, and support services, aligned with HSC Core 9.3 content.

Who is a biological parent?

A person who provides the genetic material (sperm or ovum) to create a foetus.

Give two Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) used by biological parents.

IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation) and GIFT (Gamete In-Fallopian Transfer).

Define ‘social parent’.

An individual who performs a parenting role without sharing genetic links, e.g., adoption, fostering, step-parenting, surrogacy.

What is adoption?

The legal transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from biological to adoptive parents.

List the three broad categories of adoption in NSW.

(1) Child already placed (e.g., step-parent/relative), (2) Local/overseas adoption, (3) Adoption of children with special needs.

What is fostering?

Temporary alternative care for children whose parents cannot care for them; authorised by FaCS or NGOs.

When does step-parenting occur?

When a person forms a relationship with someone who has children from a previous relationship.

Differentiate traditional and gestational surrogacy.

Traditional: surrogate’s own egg is used; Gestational: surrogate carries an embryo with no genetic link to her.

Who is a primary carer (ABS definition)?

The person providing the most informal, ongoing help for ≥6 months to someone with disability/aged ≥60 covering core activities.

What proportion of Australians are carers?

Approximately 12 % of the population (ABS 2012a).

Define ‘young carer’.

A person under 18 who provides ongoing care to a family member with illness, disability, or substance issues.

Explain ‘informal carer’.

Family, friend or neighbour giving regular, unpaid assistance.

Why are women over-represented as informal carers?

Cultural expectations of nurturing, prevalence of sole parenting, and lower average incomes leading them to stay home.

What is a formal carer?

A paid professional providing care via an agency or institution (e.g., nurse, childcare worker).

Name the three core roles of parents/carers.

Satisfy specific needs, build positive relationships, promote wellbeing of the dependant.

Give two ways parents satisfy the need ‘health’.

Provide nutritious food and organise medical/dental check-ups.

Why is early education crucial?

Because most intellectual, social and emotional development occurs before formal schooling.

How can carers encourage independence while assisting?

Provide help when needed but allow dependants to attempt tasks and make choices themselves.

List four personal preparations for becoming a parent/carer.

Changing health behaviours, enhancing knowledge/skills, modifying physical environment, organising finances.

State two financial preparations before having a child.

Budgeting for hospital/clothing/child-care costs and exploring government payments like Family Tax Benefit.

How does a dependant’s age affect the parenting role?

Young children need physical care; adolescents need identity support; adults may need emotional/economic help.

Give an example of skills/capabilities influencing care.

An adolescent can cook and thus partly meet health needs, reducing parental workload.

Define ‘special needs’ in this context.

Additional requirements due to illness, disability, or giftedness affecting care priorities.

List three personal influences on parenting/caring.

Culture/traditions, religion/spirituality, education level.

How can previous experience shape parenting style?

Lessons from earlier children or caring roles inform improved strategies for later dependants.

Explain how multiple commitments impact parents.

Work, study, sport etc. compete for time/energy, potentially reducing quality time with dependants.

Describe SES influence on caring roles.

Income, education, occupation affect resources, time, and relationship quality (e.g., affluent but absent parents).

Give one social influence on parenting.

Community attitudes (e.g., towards homeschooling or vaccination).

What are gender expectations in caring?

Traditional belief that women are carers and men breadwinners; increasingly challenged today.

Provide an example of media stereotype affecting parents.

TV shows depicting mothers as primary carers and fathers as disciplinarians reinforce outdated roles.

Describe authoritarian parenting.

Demanding, inflexible; expects obedience; may hinder independence.

What is a democratic parenting style?

Involves dependants in decisions, fostering respect and positive relationships.

State one risk of permissive/indulgent parenting.

Dependants may lack respect and engage in unsafe behaviour due to few limits.

Explain negligent parenting.

Failure to meet basic physical or emotional needs, reducing dependant wellbeing.

List two legal rights of parents under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Discipline the child reasonably; consent to medical treatment (up to age 14).

Name one right of carers under the Carer Recognition Act 2010 (Cth).

To be recognised and acknowledged in their caring role.

Identify two child rights from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Right to life, survival and development; right to express views and be heard.

Define ‘duty of care’.

Legal obligation of parents/carers to ensure dependants’ welfare and safety.

What does ‘in loco parentis’ mean?

An institution (school/childcare) temporarily assumes parents’ duty of care.

Why are clear limits important for dependants?

They teach expectations, fairness, and foster self-esteem.

State one key aspect of effective discipline.

Consistent follow-through with predetermined, reasonable consequences.

Differentiate informal and formal support.

Informal: relatives/friends; Formal: agencies or organisations (government or community) with structured services.

Give two examples of informal support.

Grandparents providing childcare; neighbour collecting children from school.

Name two government agencies offering formal support.

Centrelink (Human Services) and NSW Family & Community Services (FaCS).

Provide two community organisations that support carers.

Salvation Army; St Vincent de Paul Society.

List four types of services formal support may offer.

Health care, education, financial assistance, child care, respite, counselling.

What is the purpose of respite care?

To give carers a temporary break from daily caring duties, benefiting both carer and dependant.

How can counselling aid parents/carers?

Provides professional guidance to manage stress, grief, or role changes.

Identify one educational service for first-time parents.

Tresillian or Karitane for settling babies and establishing routines.

What payment assists working parents with child-care costs?

Child Care Rebate (via Centrelink).

Why must parents evaluate online parenting resources?

To ensure information is valid and reliable before applying advice.

How can accessing formal support improve young carers’ wellbeing?

Provides respite, financial aid, and educational flexibility, reducing stress and improving life balance.

Explain how culture influences caregiving practices.

Guides food, dress, rituals, and expectations; parents may transmit cultural traditions to children.

Describe the effect of religion on parenting choices.

May dictate school selection, charitable activities, or restrictions on social behaviour.

What is meant by ‘empowerment of women and men’ (Outcome H6.1)?

Greater gender equality enabling flexible parenting and caring roles in society.

Why is positive relationship building essential in care?

Enhances emotional security, resilience, and overall wellbeing for both parties.

Give one strategy to manage multiple roles.

Using formal childcare to free time for work/study commitments.

How does technology impact parenting/caring?

ART enables new family forms; online resources offer support; monitoring devices aid safety.

What does SES stand for?

Socioeconomic Status.

Define ‘out-of-home care’.

System placing children unable to live safely with birth families into authorised care settings.

Which Act protects Australians from age discrimination?

Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth).

What is the estimated annual value of informal care in Australia?

Approximately 1.32 billion hours worth > $40 billion (Access Economics 2010).

How can carers access flexible work arrangements legally?

Under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) which allows requests for flexible hours or carer’s leave.

Name one parenting style most suitable in emergencies.

Authoritarian, because quick obedience is required.

What support does ‘MyTime for Grandparents’ offer?

Groups and resources for grandparents who are primary carers of grandchildren.

Why is lifelong learning encouraged for dependants?

Exposes them to new experiences, fosters adaptability and continuous development.

Give one benefit of democratic parenting for elderly dependants in a nursing home.

Allows them input into meal/activity choices, enhancing sense of identity and wellbeing.

What formal service assists with medical expenses for carers and dependants?

Medicare (public) or private health insurance funds.

State one responsibility shared by carers and parents.

To ensure the physical wellbeing and safety of the dependant.

How does the Education Act 1990 (NSW) define parental duty?

Parents must enrol and ensure attendance at school or approved homeschooling for compulsory-age children.

Give an example of a counselling helpline for parents.

Parentline.

List two outcomes students must achieve in this module (any code).

H2.1 Analyse different approaches to parenting/caring; H3.2 Evaluate networks available to individuals, groups and families.