PARENTING: Right here, Right now
By Abiyath
Reading the article of Jonah Lehrer entitled “Why Rich Parents Don’t Matter” dating January 24, 2011 provided by The Wall Street Journal was indeed confusing, and worth debating to the writer and the readers. I say so, on his article Jonah Lehrer failed to point clearly what is his point in writing that article. Could it be financially blessed parents have no time for their children resulting to poor parenting? Could it be rich parent’s financial support give advantage in shaping their kids talents? Could it be kids from high standard of living has great advantage over from the less fortunate families? Or was he trying to point-out financially capacitated parents tend to disrupt their kids independence in making their own decisions could affect their mental ability? Or is he writing purposively telling that rich kids are far intelligent and talented from poor kids?
To date, the article had several comments posted. Visibly reading it, viewers and readers of the said study were even confused on what it is directing, or if it is giving the focal point on the issue. The writer may express his intent to write informative handful of scientific terminologies and comparison. But he failed to educate the public on the article being published. I could say, it is very deplorable that the public are not impressed of reading a non-specific topic. A very specific topic certainly helps intellectual awareness, and conclusions to modify mental ability- but then again, readers brains were twisted and have gone far away out because they could not get the point.
If Mr. Lehrer’s point is financially stable and financially busy parents have poor parenting habit? Well, majority of these parents have no time for their kids because they entrusted most of their responsibilities to their caretakers. This negligence of parenting may result to rebellion, juvenile delinquency, or personality disorder of their kids. On the other hand, no matter how busy parents are from their respective businesses or exasperatedly pressured from their work-demanding careers; it is best to spend at least quality bonding with their kids. A family dinner after work, reading bedtime stories, a family day-out for picnic would help your parent-kid/s ties. On this way around, your kids feel you really care and love them despite of your busy career.
Parents’ supremacy should not be used against their children too. We all knew that all parents want is to know what is best for their children. On this issue, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor parents; the concern here is to allow the children to be independent on making their own decisions but providing not overprotective guidance. On this way you help them think to decide what is right from wrong. It will help them too to become independent and have respect on their individuality. So if in the event if they made mistakes from their decisions or acts you are not batted with harsh words from them blaming you.
In another scenario if this article points out financially able parents give everything to harness their kids’ skills and talents, I could say Yes. There is a great advantage being rich as to sculpt their kids from attaining their desired skills and talents to become more extra-ordinary. However, again on the other side being poor is not an option for parents not to support their kids from reaching their dreams. Many sidewalk vendors, scavengers, fish peddlers, and so for are so supportive to their child or children once they have seen something from them-be it be in singing, dancing, modelling, or drawing career. Some parents find ways to support their child/children in any means for they believe on his/ her endeavour. Some parents are not only supporting their kids for personal reason in order to have an investment from their child; but they believe he or she will be recognised by people and could have a good life that they never had before. A lot extraordinaire started from poverty, started from scratch even.
Lastly, if the published article was set to compare the mental ability of being intelligent of the rich and poor kids, I think it should not be. There are even kids who are in most expensive schools, with acclaimed best teachers however they are not excelling from their classes or co-curricular activities. There are public school students but tops-over private school students on national quiz shows in general information, sciences, and mathematics. In this case, being poor and being rich is not actually the basic foundation in seeing intellectual capacity of a child. It is innate on his blood, it is the genes that help a lot to make him intelligent, but coupled with perseverance, constant studies, and hard work to make him succeed.
I firmly believe that parents have the most integral part in shaping the lives of their kids. It is your responsibility to inculcate in their minds that they have their rights to decide, but should at least listen to parents advices. As parents, it is your greatest responsibility too to give your children quality time, love, care, and support irregardless if you are rich or poor. Your kids need you, right here, right now, 24-7!