When the discussion of good parenting comes up there are likely to be as many opinions as there are people expressing them. It’s not a science but rather a biased set of concepts based on our individual upbringing and training. Success is difficult to measure because it is in the eyes of the beholder. There are a few points of commonality, however.
Keeping our children safe and healthy is a basic covenant of parenting. However, what constitutes safe and healthy may not be so easily defined. When a poor family lacks proper food and medicine, are the parents bad? Conversely, if a well-to-do family provides every possible benefit that money can buy to their children, does it mean that they are automatically good parents? Of course it’s not the case. It is judged on a best efforts basis.
Proper parenting is not defined solely by good health and safety. The emotional well being and support of the child is also a critical part of good parenting. In the previous example, if the well-to-do parents that supply everything are never around and the poor parents that have nothing are always there for their children, which set of parents are better?
Studies have shown that emotionally healthy children are likely to have parental support and nurturing, or good parenting. The opposite is also true. The problem children have a higher incidence of neglect, or bad parenting. Certainly there are many cases where physical health conditions are the cause of bad behavior, the toothache pain causing irritability for example. But in the case where no medical conditions exist, then look to parenting techniques.
At school, many children’s behavior patterns can be easily correlated with probable good or bad parenting at home. Good parenting is reflected in children that are dressed and groomed appropriately. They tend to do well in school and have a lively circle of friends. Poor parenting tends to result in sub-standard grades, unkempt appearance and antisocial tendencies.
Naturally, there are exceptions. We all know of cases where the neglected, or even abused, child excels in school and later, in life. Then there’s the wild child that has great parents and grows up to be a burden to society. However, these are the exceptions. The overwhelming evidence points towards good parenting as a prime cause of healthy, happy and well adjusted kids.
Good parenting translates to a safe, healthy and emotionally sound family environment. This is the foundation on which a child can build a bright future.
