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From Brown
(1998-revised 2001):
“The roles
we expect parents to fulfill include: (a) providing basic needs
and protecting children from the natural and social environment,
(b) guiding physical and psychosocial development and (c) advocating
within the wider community on behalf of children (Alvy, 1987; Small,
1990).
Basic needs
include adequate nutritious food, a safe and secure shelter, clothing
and medical care. Parents protect their children from psychological
and physical threats in the environment including harm from individuals,
groups or institutions by monitoring behavior and teaching self-protective
skills. Parents are expected to provide guidance in cognitive, educational,
physical, sexual, social, moral, cultural and spiritual development
by setting limits, providing information and support, and modeling
appropriate behaviors. In their advocacy roles, parents can promote
safe neighborhoods and communities, good schools, and adequate recreational
facilities, and help youth interact effectively with educational
and economic institutions.
The capacity
to meet parental responsibilities may be hierarchical in nature.
Parents who must focus all their energies on providing basic needs
and protection are less likely to be involved in guidance or advocacy
functions. (Small, 1990). As daily life becomes more complex, parents
find it increasingly difficult to perform these expected functions
without assistance from the wider society. Both type and level of
help needed vary because families are diverse in composition, structure,
values, resources, and strengths. Providing ‘social support
will positively influence parent functioning.’ {Powell, 1989,
p. 93)”
From Simpson
(2001):
Parent roles:
“…to develop and maintain a relationship with children
(teens in her report) that offers support and acceptance, while
accommodating and affirming the teen’s increasing maturity.”
(love and connect- p. 49). Parents also need to monitor their child’s
activities “…through a process that increasingly involves
less direct supervision and more communication, observation and
networking with other adults.” (monitor ad observe- p. 52).
A parent also needs to “uphold a clear evolving set of boundaries,
maintaining important family rules and values but encouraging increased
competence and maturity.” (guide and limit, p. p. 56). Parents
also need to provide “ongoing information and support around
decision- making skills, goals, and interpreting and navigating
the larger world, teaching by example and ongoing dialogue.”
(model and consult, p. 59). Children also need parents “to
make available not only adequate nutrition, clothing, shelter, and
health care, but also a supportive home environment and a network
of caring adults.” (provide and advocate, p. 62).
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