Having Children

1. Having Children Unit 4 – Chapter 9

2. What are some changes that occur in the life of a couple who is making the decision to have a child?

3. Truth or Myth? • Until the 20th century, the average family consisted of a large extended family with at least 3 generations living in one home

4. Truth or Myth? • The nuclear, monogamous family has been the norm in some societies since the dawn of history.

5. Truth or Myth? • Throughout history the family was an economic unit until the West invented the idea of romantic love matches

6. Childbearing in Canada • Over 90% of Canadians say that they intend to become parents • Parenthood is an irreversible commitment – “One can have ex-spouses and ex-jobs but not ex-children.” (Ronald Rindfuss)

7. Childbearing in Canada • Modern Canadian families can plan when to have children, how many they will have and how they will space their children out • This wasn’t possible before the late 1960s & the invention of birth control

8. Childbearing in Canada • What are some factors that influence the decision of couples to have children? • Cultural values & beliefs • Economics • Social norms • Psychological & emotional needs

9. Children in our European Heritage • The purpose of children depended on a family’s social class • In upper class families the parent-child relationship was not important • Upper class families sent their children away until they were adults • Boys were expected to marry a suitable girl to pass on the family line

10. Children in our European Heritage • Lower class families needed children to contribute their labour to the family • From the time their children could walk they learned how to do chores • Children were integrated into the social life of the community once they began to work

11. Children in our European Heritage • Between 1500 and 1700, men were the rulers over their household • Women and children were property • Swaddling & beatings children were recommended for raising a healthy child • Parents, particularly in the lower-class, were very affectionate towards their children

12. Children in our European Heritage • Early European families had more children than today due to the high infant mortality rate • The maternal mortality rate meant that many women, rich and poor, died while giving birth to their last child

13. Parenting Around the World • If a parent did any of the following, would you consider them to be a fit or unfit parent? • Allowed their child to smoke at a young age • Allowed their child to play with fire unsupervised • Allowed their child to swim unsupervised • Went hunting with their child • Allowed their child to disappear for days at a time without knowing where they were • Allowed their child to skip school

14. Parenting Around the World • What are the differences between how the average Canadian family raises their children and how the Mentawai raise their children? • What are some benefits of the Mentawai style of parenting? • Could the Mentawai style of parenting work for families in Canada? Why or Why not?

15. Aspects of Western-style Parenting • Some aspects of Western-style parenting are seen as strange or taboo in many parts of the world • Can you think of any examples?

16. Aspects of Western-style Parenting Solitary sleeping vs. co-sleeping

17. Aspects of Western-style Parenting “parking” vs. wearing

18. Aspects of Western-style Parenting Isolation of new moms vs. helpers

19. Aspects of Western-style Parenting No public breast-feeding vs. feeding on demand