The Parenthood Decision Parenthood Decision Terms l Adoptive

The Parenthood Decision

Parenthood Decision Terms l Adoptive Parent - a person who becomes a parent through a legal process. l Environment - a person’s surroundings and everything in them, including both human and non-human factors. Joyce Glenn

Parenthood Decision Terms l Family Planning - a deliberate act of deciding how many children and the spacing of years between each child. l Foster Parent - a person who provides a temporary home for a child. I see lots of kids in your future Joyce Glenn

l Genetic Counseling - medical advice that tells a couple the options and risks of having genetic problems in their children. l Heredity - the sum of all the qualities a person inherits from his or her parents at birth. Joyce Glenn

l Obstetrician - a doctor who specializes in pregnancy and childbirth. l Parenting - the process of caring for children and helping them grow and learn. l Pediatrician - a doctor who specializes in the care of children. Joyce Glenn

Parenting Options l Married with no children l Married couple with children Natural Parents Adoptive Parents Foster Parents l Single person with children Joyce Glenn

Factors to Consider in Making a Parenthood Decision l Do both enjoy and desire children? l Would both be positive role models for children? l Is the marriage relationship secure and happy? l Can both share love with a child feelings of jealousy? Joyce Glenn without

l Is one willing and able to accept the changes in lifestyle? l Is one financially able to support a child? l Will becoming a parent affect education goals and career opportunities? l Will employers allow maternity or paternity leave? Joyce Glenn

l Do you have mental or physical health problems? (genetic, age, chronic illness) l Do you really want to be a parent or are you being pressured? Family or peer pressure? Joyce Glenn

l Is the mother physically able? l Is the decision based on a desire for a companion? l Are Joyce Glenn child care services available, if needed?

l Are both parents willing to accept the child born to them? (Gifted, disabled, easy-going, temperamental, unattractive) l Do you have a knowledge of the principles of child development and parenting skills? Joyce Glenn

l Are living facilities large enough? l Is the home in a neighborhood suitable for raising children? l Do you have the energy required to be a parent? Joyce Glenn

Describe the Influence of Heredity and Environment on Child Development l Heredity - the passing on of certain characteristics from earlier generations l Blood type l Eye color l Hair color “Nature” Joyce Glenn

Describe the Influence of Heredity and Environment on Child Development l Environment - the people, places and things that surround and influence a person l Your family l Your friends l Your community “Nurture” Joyce Glenn

Nature vs. Nurture “Nature affects nurture affects nature and back and forth. ” Psychiatrist Stanley Greenspan Heredity and environment have worked together to make you. From your parents and past generations, you inherited certain physical characteristics. From your family you also learned certain attitudes and ways of doing things. You have also been influenced by the world around you. What you read, what you see on TV, the type of community you live in all these and countless other factors have shaped who you are. Joyce Glenn

Types of Family Structures l Nuclear family - mother, father, and their children l Single-parent family - one parent and his/her children l Blended family - two separate families joined by marriage l Extended family - parents, children, grandparents and/or other relatives l Childless family - husband wife without children l Nonrelated family - persons not related but living in the same home Joyce Glenn

Effect children could have on each type of family structure: l Nuclear family - additional children may cause a strain on the existing relationships l Single-parent family - raising a child alone puts many demands on the parent, with time and energy required to do the work alone l Blended family - may have difficulty in establishing the new family unit, time needed to adjust to each other Joyce Glenn

Effect children could have on each type of family structure: l Extended family - multiple relationships in the home, adjustments must be made to accommodate older relatives l Childless family - a couple who does not want to have children may be resentful if a child is born into the family l Nonrelated family - no “family history”, roles may be confused, may lack a sense of “family” since members are not related by blood Joyce Glenn

Costs Related to Having and Raising a Child l Pregnancy and birth 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Joyce Glenn Maternity wardrobe Obstetrician’s fees Hospitalization Pediatrician’s fees Medication

l Preparation 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Joyce Glenn for newborn Nursery or area of a room Furnishings Bath and personal supplies Feeding equipment Wardrobe Bedding supplies Travel supplies Toys

l Child care services l Food l Clothing l Medical care l Recreation l Insurance l Transportation l Housing Joyce Glenn

l Education 1. 2. 3. 4. Books and supplies Fees for special activities School tuition Additional costs for college or job training - tuition, room and board 5. Social/lifestyle costs - parties, school activities, extracurricular activities, travel Joyce Glenn

l Private lessons - art, music, karate, dance, gymnastics l Allowances l Expenses related to adult children (children moving back into the home, divorced child, child seeking employment) l Expenses Joyce Glenn related to grandchildren

Rewards and Challenges Associated with Parenthood l Rewards l Happiness l Pride l Unique love l Seeing the world through a child’s eyes l Can enrich an already strong marriage l Great Joyce Glenn sense of accomplishment

Rewards and Challenges Associated with Parenthood l Challenges l New responsibilities l Change in lifestyle l Personal freedom is affected l Change in relationships l Career changes l Financial challenges l Emotional adjustments l Demands on time and energy Joyce Glenn

Positive Effects of Parenthood on Marriage and Personal Relationships l Close feelings develop between parents during pregnancy, delivery, and birth l Feelings of contentment and self-fulfillment develop while watching children grow and develop l Feelings of satisfaction when they produce a permanent expression of love Joyce Glenn

l Couple shares tenderness, love and trust associated with guiding young child’s growth and development l Love between parents becomes stronger as couple shares joys and responsibilities of raising children Joyce Glenn

l Children create a closer bond between couples in a loving, caring marriage l Respect for mate increases as each watches the other cope with stresses of parenting Joyce Glenn

l Activities associated with children are fun and rewarding for both parents l Couple enjoys sharing in the education and development of children l Feelings of pride and satisfaction occur when children are productive and become successful, happy adults Joyce Glenn

Negative Effects of Parenthood on Marriage and Personal Relationships l Changes in lifestyle may create problems l Expense of raising a child can cause conflict l Conflict over whether children should seek employment outside the home could occur l Constant demand of children can increase problems in an unstable marriage Joyce Glenn

l Conflict can occur when parents disagree on goals for children l Conflict may occur when one parent refuses to share in child care l Stress may occur when special needs children increase financial needs and require additional care Joyce Glenn

l Stress occurs when children play one parent against the other l Children place additional burdens on a household when one or both parents have an emotional or physical problem Joyce Glenn

Advantages of Family Planning l Couples childless have the option to remain l Individuals can achieve set goals prior to the arrival of children Joyce Glenn

l Parents can plan for and have the number of children they want l Children parents Joyce Glenn are born that are wanted by both

l Timing for the arrival of each child can be planned for a specific time that takes into account the welfare of all family members l Couples can plan for children to arrive when each feels physically and psychologically healthy enough to provide love and security for children Joyce Glenn

l Couples can plan for children to arrive when the financial situation is such that children can be well nourished and kept physically healthy l Children can be spaced so that the couple can provide financing for each child’s education Joyce Glenn

Factors That Influence Family Planning Decisions l Parents’ current and future employment l Parents’ educational and career goals l Available time to provide children with necessary love and attention l Finances needed to provide children with basic needs Joyce Glenn

Joyce Glenn