You recently listened to a Newsweek article titled "Who Needs Parents" by Sharon Begley. It's an interesting article discussing Judith Rich Harris' book The Nuture Assumption which basically says parents have no effect on how their children turn out. The only thing parents contribute to their children is their genes (DNA). She claims a child's peers (friends) and the environment have more of an effect on who the child becomes.
Judith Rich Harris says, "Through no fault of their own, good parents sometimes have bad kids."
I want you to write and discuss your thoughts on this. "Good" parent? "Bad" kid? "Bad" parent? "Good" kid? What does it all mean to you? What makes you who you are and who you will become??
9 comments:
i think we need parents for disapline because if we dont we will be out of control
i agree to disagree it all depends all on the family do they have money are the parents junkies it all depends they could have a good child with junkie parents or good parents with junkie kids
Stephen T.
I think that the article "Who Needs Parents" by Sharon Begley was a very interesting artice to read. Mostly everything that Harris states in the article i agreed with. I believe that childrens peers and class mates have more of an effect on a child then there own parents do. The article i think is very conterversal and many of people have their own belifs and opinions.
Overall i think the article was intereasting and kept me thinking about who does have more of an effect on a childs well being.
we need parents because first of all wed not be here with out um. if we didnt have parents we wouldnt be the way we r today.
i think we all need parents because if it was not for them then we would not be here today.
Ariel marie
I think that this lady is a little crazy in saying that all the parents contribute is their genes. I think parent comtribute many this like humor,and kindness. Many time children have a personality that is close to there parent. Parents know you are because they live with you and they've know you since birth. My parents have alot effects on me.
I agree that good parents can have bad children. good parents should disapline their kids on the bad things they do.
Ryan S.
I think that parents have an affect on how their kid comes out to be, because if you are nothin but a drunk or do drugs or whatever your kids are guna be like oh ma does it, im guna do it nam'sayin like if you lead ur kids and teach em right and all that and then if they still want to mis behave and be bad then its whatever ya kno, you can lead a horse to water but u cant make em drink it. SCR
Stephen makes a good point regarding the influence of peers. However, parents can have a positive influence that often counteracts any negative influence by peers. I think that goes along with what Ariel said. I also agree with SRC. Parents act as role models. Good comments all around! Now, Mrs. Aronow, tell your students they should check out Mr.Korth's blog every month - fkorth.blogspot.com
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