Are Parents Losing Authority?

I read an article the other day that scared me. I’m not going to share what it was about because that’s irrelevant to this post, but it got me thinking about a concept not wildly popular in today’s world:

Authority

The post had to do with parenting and, being a parent myself, that became the context of my musings.

We all live under authority

Whether you like it or not, every human that has lived, even the richest and most powerful in history, have lived under authority.

Parents have authority over their children, teachers over their students, bosses over their employees, the government over its citizens, and, whether you believe it or, God has authority over every living being.

But, what gives those entities that authority. Or rather, what allows them to keep it?

It’s the ability to make rules and laws and enforce them.

Now, no one can expect that since a law exists that it’s going to be followed. There have to be consequences for those who don’t abide by it, right? And those consequences have to be harsher than the crime committed in order to be taken seriously.

Driving laws serve as a good example: if the police issued only verbal warnings for speeding and reckless driving, we’d all laugh in their face and go on speeding.

So, why does our society expect that parents govern their kids in such overly sensitive ways? You know what I mean.

Kids need structure

I’m pretty sure I don’t need to go into all the details about why kids need structure and routine here. There are PLENTY of articles that expound upon that fact that you can find with a simple Google search. To make my point, just understand that as a fact.

Kid’s need to know where the lines and boundaries of their little worlds are in order to feel safe and comfortable. They tend to be happier and behave better with other kids and function better in school.

But, as every parent knows, they also love to push those boundaries and try to cross those lines just to see what happens. I’m experiencing a lot of that with my toddler now-a-days and, though I don’t enjoy it, I realize it’s my responsibility to put him in his place where he is safe and happy.

Will sitting my two-year-old down and having a face to face conversation about how his actions could be harmful to himself or others be effective. For goodness sakes, no! Just like a nice verbal warning for speeding wouldn’t cause any adult to change their behavior from what they want to do.

However, there is this popular trend that frowns upon parents who raise their kids with authority and enforce boundaries. Instead they propose “positive parenting” practices that focus on all the good children do rather than emphasize the negative by dealing out consequences.

Oh, I could go on and on about why that is a load of poo. I’ll spare you.

Parent’s Authority Being Diminished

The scary thing about this trend is (and this was reflected in that maddening article I read) that society is slowly stealing parent’s authority away.

Scotland, for instance, has a program that appoints a “named person” to every child as soon as they are born to oversee parenting. These “shadow parents” are given rights to all the child’s medical records or information from other agencies and are appointed the right to intervene when they deem it necessary.

This is not just some other country’s atrocity, though. According to this article on Infowars the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a draft document which outlines a very similar plan.

It makes sense, though, right? I mean, why wouldn’t the Government want to essentially raise the next generation. They could indoctrinate these children to follow or believe anything that furthers their plan for greater power. And what are parent’s really, but nannies to do the dirty work of childcare.

Sounds like a Sci-Fi movie, but, folks, this is happening in our world and not just through the laws that are passed.

In a much more subtle way, parent’s authority over children is being grossly undermined. If you are a parent, you’ve probably come across an article or two outlining the newest scientific study that completely contradicts the way you’ve been handling some aspect of your child’s life. Suddenly, due to this study, you feel inadequate and afraid because there was no way you would have come to the conclusion they did on your own, right?

There are so many reasons not to believe everything you read on the internet, especially when it’s backed up by some scientific study. The results of those studies can all be portrayed in a way that suits the opinion (or pocketbook) of the person conducting it or the person writing that article you read.

Also, even if there is some truth to what these studies and articles are saying, no one has written the book, “The Formula to Raise Every Child That Ever Lived”. You have a unique child with a unique set of behaviors and needs. No one, not even the government, can tell you that you must follow steps 1, 2, and 3 to raise a productive member of society.

Ok, one last point about your authority as a parent being undermined: they can’t love your child more than you do!!!! I always marvel at how I have carried my baby in my body for nine months, suffering through all kinds of discomfort, birthed him, dragged myself out of bed night after night to care for his every need, and spent every day of his life giving him healthy meals and planning constructive activities for him so that he can have the best childhood possible and they think they have the right to tell me I am not doing a good enough job and that they can do better. AHHH!!!

Are Parents Losing Authority?

I’m going to make my conclusion here brief. Authority is unavoidable in this world (even if you disagree with it) and our kids will have to learn how to submit to it properly one way or another. Parents have to be the first ones to teach children this concept, but it’s really hard (and only going to get harder) with the way society is. It’s in the government’s best interest to have a close hand in how child is raised so they fund, propagate, and push for anything that diminishes parent’s authority.

What can we do about all this?

Don’t believe everything you read. Until they start installing video cameras in our homes, be the best parent you know to be and raise your kids to be respectful adults, not large children. Pray to God to give you the wisdom to do this.

Don’t vote for officials that push for more government involvement (interference) in our personal lives.

And take heart, when it comes to raising your child, you are the best one for the job.

What do you think? Share your comments below.

Disclaimer: Child abuse is a serious and tragic thing that makes me sick just to think of. Obviously, I’m not saying those “parents” who do not have their children’s best interest, health, or well-being at heart should have every right to do whatever they want. I’m just saying the solution is not for the government to take away the authority of all of us who are actually trying due to the irresponsibility of the ones who are idiots.