The Changing Nature of Parenting in America

Department of Pediatric Dentistry

Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Kris Hendricks Date: September 11, 2009

Article title: The Changing Nature of Parenting in America

Author(s): Nicholas Long, PHD

Journal: Pediatric Dentistry

Volume (number): 26:2

Month, Year: 2004

Major topic: Parenting Styles

Minor topic(s):Behavior Management

Type of Article: Professional Opinion

Main Purpose To discuss how changes in parenting styles affect the practice of pediatric dentistry.

Overview of method of research: Mostly professional opinion with some references to the scientific literature.

Findings: Most board certified pediatric dentists feel that parenting has taken a turn for the worse. They also feel that children display worse behavior now than they did in the past and that this has negatively affecte the practice of pediatric dentistry. Many blame these behavioral changes on changes in parenting, but it is important to realize that parenting takes place within the context of society and that societal changes play a significant role in child outcomes, perhaps even more significant than parenting.

Key points/Summary : Americans are almost as fixated with child rearing as we are with sex. The problems facing children today are much more severe than those facing children in the "Leave it to Beaver" era. Drugs, suicide, violence and teen pregnancy are just a few of the problems that children are facing these days. The media suggests that these problems are the result of poor parenting.

A recent survey of diplomats of the AAPD (sounds like a bunch of cranky old men) found that parents today are much less willing to allow their kids to suffer pain at the hand of the dentist. Traditional behavior management techniques like hand over mouth are no longer acceptable. 43% of them say this has decreased satisfaction in the practice of pediatric dentistry.

There is still some debate as to how much parenting matters in the outcome of children. But most researchers believe it to be important. Society, however, has a very significant influence on children. It is especially important for us to be careful in our judgement of parenting and also not to apply Anglo-American parenting values on other cultures.

Assessment of article: This was an interesting read. The survey of the AAPD diplomats sounds like they're really missing the good old days. I was particularly impressed by the suggestion that we should not apply "our" concept of good parenting on other cultures and act judgmentally. Most of our patients come from a very different culture than myself and I'm easily tempted to judge them by my values.