Laid-Back Parenting Essay Example for Free

Laid-Back Parenting Essay Erin Zammett Ruddy wrote the article â€Å"The New Laid-Back Parenting† where she identifies whether a parent can exercise laid-back parenting efficiently in a hover-parenting culture and not take it to the extent of neglect. Practicing laid-back parenting has its challenges where it is tempting for the parent to snap back into an overly involved mode. Some people who do not practice the laid-back parenting method may frown upon it. The author presents an interesting perspective on how the use of a less hovering approach to parenting allows a child to be independent, confident and resourceful individuals in the future. â€Å"The New Laid-Back Parenting† article demonstrates that over-involved parenting can have a negative influence, later on in a child’s life. Hence, the child is not able to handle certain situations on their own without the help of their parents trying to do everything for them. Subsequently, the child is completely dependent on their parents for decision making and other issues. This is in contrast to the laid-back parenting approach where it encourages a child to think and do things independently, to a certain extent. The article explains how a parent can live a balanced lifestyle which involves being a parent, spouse and enjoying leisure at the same time. Also, the article gives an illustration of when the use of laid-back parenting has gone too far by the parent. Given these points, the author seems in favor of laid-back parenting as being the most fit, when raising a child. Early on in the article, the author provides quotes from historian Pamela Haag Ph.D. Haag states, that parenting, Its something you do intensively, rather than a status you have† (Ruddy, 2013). This source is reputable  because it is coming from someone who has their PhD in cultural history, who most likely spends years studying the role of a parent in various cultures. This statement relates to the author’s topic and serves as a support to the argument which makes it relevant and consistent with the article. Another fact that the author mentions is, â€Å"Indeed, a new study at the University of Mary Washington found that over-involved parenting, which can extend well into young adulthood, may even be damaging long-term†(Ruddy,2013). The source that the author uses is credible due to the fact that the study was done at the Washington University. However, if the author had included a few more Universities that have conducted the same study and arrived at a simil ar conclusion that hovering parenting results in negative effects on a child’s life, it would create more proof for the article. Moreover, the author provides the evidence that over-involved parenting is least effective when raising a child. Overall, the author’s use of facts re-enforces and supports the article stance on laid-back parenting. An opinion is clearly stated, when the author explains that â€Å"‘Parent’ is a verb rather than a noun today(Ruddy,2013) This opinion enforces the idea and function of what parenting is by emphasizing and comparing the role of parenting in the author’s point of view. The explanation gives support that parenting is a responsibility. Also, â€Å"Less parenting means more ‘you’ time† is an outlook the author uses to convey a balance life of being a parent. Still, it seems as if the author uses laid-back parenting as a convenient way to do other things, other than being a parent. Thus, the author appears to be somewhat selfish in her thoughts. Nevertheless, the opinion is supported by how less hovering results in more time to do other activities in her life. Also, the points of view provided by parents who practice laid-back parenting functions as an opinion and provide support for the article. However, this seems bias because the author did not include the views of parents who do not practice laid-back parenting. In all, the author expresses her view points and how beneficial it is to promote less over-involved parenting. In conclusion, the author relates her idea of parenting and lean towards laid-back parenting as being the most effective method when raising a child.  The author believes that this type of parenting will have a positive impact on children as they progress into adulthood. A Less hovering parenting style results into sheer benefits for both the parent and child. As a result parents have more time to incorporate other activities in their lives while the child is learning to face life challenges independently and efficiently. Reference RUDDY, E. (2013). THE NEW LAID-BACK PARENTING. Parenting School Years, 27(6), 47-48