Arkansas
Association of
Family and Consumer
Sciences

A trip to the mall or movie on any given Friday night reminds one that the multitude of parenting resources available never exceeds the need. While some well-behaved youth are encountered, there are those that exhibit rude, even delinquent behaviors. Where are the parents of these discourteous children, and to what extent have they applied their parenting skills?

Parenting is one of the most important and most difficult responsibilities a person will ever have, and it is one for which few receive training. In the past, parenting skills were learned from extended family. There were loved ones available to share wisdom concerning how to raise children. Now family members may live great distances apart, so other sources are needed.

Family and Consumer Sciences professionals have traditionally believed in the importance of parenting programs and classes in order to lessen some of the difficulties experienced by individuals and families. Such programs focus on either child outcomes, parent outcomes, or both. The purpose of programs emphasizing child outcomes is to enable parents to raise children that are high functioning members of society. Those focusing on parent outcomes concentrate on helping parents reduce their own stress levels, thus reducing the likelihood of dysfunctional punishment of their children.

No one has designed the perfect parenting program that will work for every parent and child. Yet, there are many programs available that have beneficial outcomes. Several emphasize \"positive parenting\" and teach alternatives to corporal punishment and inform participants about child development so that parental expectations will be in line with their child's capabilities. Straus (1994) described positive parents as those who set clear standards for what is expected, provided much love and affection, explained things to their children, and recognized and rewarded good behavior. These parents practice \"conscious\" parenting, described by Verny (2002) as informed, thoughtful parenting, in which the mind and heart of the parent resonate to the needs of the child.

In a recent volume of Parenting in Arkansas, Representative Joyce Elliot suggested \"gifts\" for parents to give their children - gifts which will instill values in our children, and none for which a child would ask. Among the gifts was humility so that the child will learn to value his/her own worth and will be more likely to be freed from the weight of arrogance. Another was conversation so that problems could perhaps be preempted and solved. And, the ultimate gift, according to Elliot, is peace. Children deserve to be brought up in an environment that is constructed for them that allows them to experience more successes than failures, one in which the child’s self esteem is nurtured.

Carla Danaher, an Australian publisher, envisions for Australians larger families, more stay-at-home dads, older parents, and more parenting classes. In fact, Danaher predicts that parenting classes will be as common as pre-birth classes. Will the same predictions be accurate for Americans? If so, the implications for FCS professionals are very positive. Our dedication to parenting education will be needed more than ever, and perhaps even appreciated.

Where's the beef (or whatever one considers to be the nucleus) of parenting? Just maybe it is in the parenting programs and classes lead and taught by FCS professionals.