Basic 9 · Social Studies · The Family
Parenthood and Responsible Parenting
In this topic you will explain the concepts of parenthood and parenting, and discuss the responsibilities of parents in the family system.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Distinguish parenthood from parenting
- Explain the responsibilities of parents
- Discuss styles and effects of parenting
What you already know
- Marriage
- Family roles
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Family Life
- Sub-strand
- The Family
- Indicator
- B9.2.2.2.1 – Examine the importance of responsible parenting within the family system
Introduction
Having a child takes a moment. Raising a child takes twenty years or more.
1. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| parenthood | the state of being a parent |
| parenting | raising and caring for a child |
| responsible parenting | meeting a child's needs and rights well |
Parenthood is a status. It comes with the birth or adoption of a child. Parenting is a job. It is the daily work of feeding, teaching, guiding and loving a child. A person may be a biological parent, but fail at parenting. Others, such as grandparents, aunts, guardians or adoptive parents, may do this work very well.
2. Readiness for Parenthood
| Area | Question |
|---|---|
| age | Is the person an adult? |
| health | Is the body ready? |
| emotions | Can they handle stress? |
| finances | Can they provide? |
| relationship | Is there a stable partner? |
| education | Have they completed their schooling? |
Teenage parents face difficulties. Pregnancy at a young age can harm the health of mother and baby, and it can end schooling. It can happen to anyone who has sex, and it can be prevented by waiting. Support for teenage mothers to return to school is essential. Ghana's education policy allows pregnant girls and young mothers to continue their education. Boys must accept responsibility too.
3. Family Planning
Responsible parents plan the number and spacing of their children, according to what they can afford and care for. Couples can seek advice from health centres. Large families can be loving, but children need food, health care and school. Spacing births protects the health of the mother and the baby. Religion and culture influence people's views on this, and these views should be respected.
4. Single Parents and Guardians
Many children are raised by one parent or by a relative, because of death, divorce or work. These parents often work very hard. They should be supported and not looked down on. Fathers who do not live with their children still have a duty to support them. The Department of Social Welfare can help mothers who are not getting support from fathers.
5. The Roles of Mothers and Fathers
Traditionally, fathers provided and mothers cared. Today, both may do both. A father who bathes the baby, helps with homework and shows love is a real man. Research shows that involved fathers help children to do better at school and in life. Sharing parenting benefits the whole family.
New words
- parenthood
- The state of being a parent.
- parenting
- Raising a child.
- guardian
- A person who cares for a child.
- family planning
- Deciding the number and spacing of children.
Summary
- Parenthood is a status, and parenting is a job.
- Parenthood requires readiness.
- Both parents share responsibility.
Class activity: Ready or Not?
- List what a baby needs in a year.
- Estimate the cost.
- Discuss readiness for parenthood.
You need: Baby cloth, Child health record booklet, Printed Ghanaian family photograph
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Raising a child is…
- A. parenting
- B. parenthood
- C. farming
- D. marriage
Show answer
Answer: parentingTerm.2. Which is a sign of readiness for parenthood?
- A. being able to provide
- B. being fourteen
- C. failing school
- D. having no job
Show answer
Answer: being able to provideTerm.3. Fathers have a duty to support their children.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueLaw.4. Deciding the number of children is family ______.
Show answer
Answer: planningTerm.5. Give the difference between parenthood and parenting.
Show answer
Answer: Parenthood is being a parent, and parenting is raising a child.Term.6. What are the risks of teenage parenthood?
Show answer
Answer: Health risks, ending school and financial hardship.Effects.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Family Life
- Sub-strand
- The Family
- Indicator
- B9.2.2.2.1 – Examine the importance of responsible parenting within the family system
Introduction
Children do not raise themselves. They rely on adults for nearly everything.
1. Responsibilities
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| physical | food, clothing, shelter |
| health | medical care, vaccination, hygiene |
| education | school fees, books, encouragement |
| moral | teaching values |
| emotional | love, attention and listening |
| protection | keeping children safe from harm |
| legal | registering birth, naming |
The Children's Act, 1998 (Act 560) sets out parental duties. Parents must not deprive children of food, education or medical care. Children have rights to a name, nationality, education and protection. A parent who neglects these duties can face the law.
2. Parenting Styles
| Style | Features | Effect on children |
|---|---|---|
| authoritarian | strict, little warmth | obedient but fearful |
| permissive | few rules | may lack discipline |
| neglectful | little care | feel unloved |
| authoritative | firm and warm | confident and responsible |
Research suggests that the most effective style is firm but loving. Such parents set clear rules, explain them and listen to their children. Ghanaian culture stresses respect for elders, and this is good, but children should also be able to speak to their parents and be heard.
3. Discipline
Discipline means teaching self-control, and it does not simply mean punishment. Explaining rules, setting an example and using fair consequences are effective. Harsh beating can harm children physically and emotionally. The Children's Act forbids unreasonable correction. Parents should discipline with love, and keep their anger under control. In Ghana, the Education Service has also moved away from corporal punishment in schools.
4. Setting an Example
Children copy what they see. Parents who lie or are unkind teach those habits. Parents who are honest, hard-working and kind teach those instead. Spending time with children is important. A parent who is always working or on their phone may provide money, but miss the chance to shape their child. Family meals, stories and shared chores all build bonds.
5. Protecting Children
Parents should teach children about staying safe from abuse, kidnapping, road accidents and online dangers. Children should know that they can tell a trusted adult if someone hurts them. Parents should know where their children are, and whom they are with. Child labour, such as keeping children out of school to sell or farm, is a violation of children's rights. The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit and the Department of Social Welfare can help.
New words
- neglect
- Failing to give proper care.
- discipline
- Teaching self-control.
- authoritative
- Firm but loving.
- child labour
- Harmful work done by children.
Summary
- Parents must provide, protect and teach.
- Firm but loving parenting works best.
- Parents teach through example.
Class activity: Parent Panel
- Invite a parent to speak.
- Ask about their duties.
- Write what you learned.
You need: Baby cloth, Child health record booklet, Printed Ghanaian family photograph
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a parent's duty?
- A. providing food
- B. selling children
- C. ignoring health
- D. stopping school
Show answer
Answer: providing foodDuty.2. Firm but loving parenting is…
- A. authoritative
- B. neglectful
- C. permissive
- D. absent
Show answer
Answer: authoritativeStyle.3. The Children's Act sets out parental duties.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueLaw.4. Teaching self-control is ______.
Show answer
Answer: disciplineTerm.5. State three responsibilities of parents.
Show answer
Answer: Food, education and protection.Any three.6. Why is setting an example important?
Show answer
Answer: Children copy what they see.Reasoning.
Homework
- Write a letter of thanks to a parent or guardian.