Parents, It’s Time to Step Up: Get Ready to Catch Up!

oleh admin | Feb 6, 2025 | children, children and families, education, parenting, technology

Have you ever wondered why parents feel challenged observing that their children struggle even though they appear to have a more “comfortable” upbringing compared to ours? When you compare your own experiences with those of your child and assume that young people nowadays lead relatively easy lives, perhaps this comparison holds part of the issue. It’s clear that modern advancements bring about greater convenience—particularly through technologies like the internet which simplify many tasks. Reflecting upon our past, we recall writing assignments longhand or using type-writers complete with correction fluid for mistakes, physically visiting libraries to navigate book sections via the Dewey system, and waiting weeks or months for replies from correspondents through traditional postal services. Seeing such ease of access to interaction, exploration, and information now available to our offspring can indeed suggest simpler times; however, reality presents both advantages and challenges.

Rapid and extensive knowledge comes with both benefits and challenges. Indeed, life has become easier in many ways; tasks that once took us hours can now be completed within mere minutes by others. However, this doesn’t imply they have more free time compared to previous generations, just as advancements in computing did not reduce our working hours. Today’s students face an even greater academic workload than those from earlier times. For instance, scientific understanding today differs significantly—and is far more intricate—than what existed during my schooling years. In the past, learning consisted primarily of studying the nine planets (which included the erstwhile planet Pluto, may it rest peacefully). Nowadays, subjects such as physics delve into complex theories including string theory, wormholes, and parallel universes. Mathematical procedures are also being instructed quite differently nowadays. Our comprehension of genetics and neural plasticity has advanced so greatly that I fear the education I received might soon become outdated. Whenever I inquire about assignments from my secondary-level pupils, they often discuss developing comprehensive business plans, participating in technology design courses, and conducting analyses which were traditionally reserved for higher education levels.

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Unparalleled accessibility also implies that children might encounter social scenarios and hurdles before they’re emotionally prepared to handle them. Consider, as an illustration, having constant connection with peers through smartphones. In earlier times, our social exchanges were confined by physical settings—once at home, such interactions typically ceased. However, online connectivity eradicates these usual boundaries (aside from power outages and lack of battery charge), making it exceptionally challenging to impose restrictions on screen time for youngsters since the sole barrier between them and their friends is now essentially just parental oversight.

Greater social connectivity also leads to increased social disputes.

Harassment and various types of social distress, including isolation, mockery, and embarrassment, trail you everywhere today. In the past, one might find solace knowing that their harassers couldn’t reach them beyond school grounds, or rely on the fact that an adult, perhaps even your dad confronting someone who dared to use the house phone to hassle you, offered some protection. Now these threats loom constantly without respite because those barriers are gone. This situation has emerged fairly recently. Young people now endure worldwide ridicule which can be particularly challenging to overcome emotionally. Their young minds aren’t equipped for this kind of pressure. Moreover, parents struggle too since we didn’t grow up under similar conditions and thus lack experience navigating our children through today’s intricate landscape of peer relationships.

Our conventional understanding of parenthood is based on the belief that parents possess greater wisdom and thus hold superior judgment. This perspective leads us to adopt a mentoring approach to parenting, viewing ourselves as educators and navigators for our kids. When errors occur, we offer corrections; when they falter, we steer them back onto the proper path. It falls upon us to determine acceptable behavior and assign corresponding repercussions. Given that parents typically have accumulated more expertise and abilities compared to their offspring, this mentor-style guidance appears quite fitting.

Nonetheless, we must recognize that kids might be acquiring far greater insights into our world compared to adults. Thanks to new information gained from schooling and their innate ease with modern technologies, parents often feel like they’re always trying to keep up. Without taking the initiative to show interest in—and educate ourselves about—the environments where they spend most of their time—like Roblox, Discord, Snapchat, TikTok—we won’t effectively guide them through social interactions online. Furthermore, without understanding the intricate emotional responses these platforms evoke, how will we support them in managing their feelings?

Raising kids is an eye-opening journey. First off, let’s accept that today’s youth inhabit a completely distinct universe compared to ours, filled with distinctive hurdles. Our past experiences may fall short when trying to steer them through these new obstacles. Admitting that we’re venturing into uncharted waters isn’t just acceptable—it’s increasingly necessary nowadays. Instead of assuming we have all the answers, adopting such an attitude pushes us towards improving ourselves, doing thorough research, and seeking assistance whenever needed. That’s how we become effective parents striving to excel.

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aatuazon@up.edu.ph