By Amanatullah Yusuf
Over the years, there has been an evolution of modern age parenting which new parents tend to gravitate towards.
Controversy trailed over which is better_modern parenting and traditional parenting _with some laying down the argument, postulating that the opportunity and picture perfect parenting mirrored by modern parenting has blinded new parents to the dangers and bigger harm the system possesses.
The supporters of modern age parenting argue that traditional parents abuse children more than raise them. They maintained that traditional parenting is disadvantageous to parent–child communication and raises children with low self esteem.
These postulations have led to a survey on the most preferred parenting method. These answers are given by teenagers, adults and married persons.
What is Traditional and Modern Parenting?
Traditional parenting is when parents expect their children to respect and obey authority, as well as comply with their cultural beliefs and values.
This style of parenting can result in higher academic achievements and lower behavioral and psychological problems.
Modern parenting is a more relaxed approach that encourages open communication between parents and children. It focuses on building strong relationships and teaching children to think for themselves and make responsible decisions.
Ibrahim O. Qoseem, a Medical lab intern expresses preference for traditional parenting.
He says that traditional parenting produced the best behaved children. Qoseem attributes the modern parenting to Western influence which he doesn’t oppose for the development they have brought about, but he doesn’t agree with them tampering with the culture and beliefs of Africans and also influencing their mode of parenting.
He affirms that he would raise his children the traditional way, raise a kid that is morally inclined, one that would respect his elders, that wouldn’t practice the 50-50 arrangement with a man and a child that would not see indecent dressing as a means of freedom..
Also, Rahma Akabogu, a Zoology student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, attributes the manners and behaviors of children to the discipline they underwent.
She airs that modern age parents expose their kids to unnecessary things and practices above their age. She agrees that traditional parents are known to be harsh but also posits that it is their harshness that toughens that morally polish someone like him.
To Rahma, she hasn’t seen new age parents who discipline their kid by flogging or scolding sternly. This she believes raises children who aren’t strong-willed and can’t survive life’s harsh reality. She said, ” I believe traditional parents are better although they are labeled as monsters”.
She expresses her choice to practice traditional parenting but entertains the fear that by the time she starts to give birth, modern parenting fully gains ground.
According to an article on Child Rearing/MS in Marriage and Family by Touro University Worldwide, out of the four types of parenting modes Americans tend to practice, just 20 percent belong to the mode most likely to emphasize tradition.
Traditional Parenting Tends to be Harsh
Meanwhile, Ayilara Elizabeth, a Biology student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, holds a different view as she wishes to practice both. She is of the view that both methods have their pros and cons and she would practice both, balancing the two to build both healthy relationships with her children and also instill in them the values and manners with which she was raised.
Elizabeth expressed that traditional parents tend to be harsh, instilling fear in the hearts of their children which hinders them from communicating freely with their parents and expressing themselves.
Also, Ibn Hamzat, a Medical Lab intern recommends the mixture of both methods of parenting. He is of the view that traditional parenting produced the best behaved children. “West end influence contributed negatively and positively on new age parenting”, he states.
There’s Nothing to Emulate in Modern Parenting
Mr Jamiu Soliu, a graduate of law from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto
while speaking to the News Digest press says he would practice traditional parenting as there is nothing to emulate in modern parenting.
He believes and is convinced that traditional parenting produced the best behaved children. ” I believe Western influence to be a cankerworm to African culture. Its influence on the new age parenting is what birthed having children or wards that have little to no respect to their parents and the society at large.”