[April 20, 2023] A more precise question, and not dissimilar to this question, is ‘What is the most fundamental moral responsibility of a parent?’ The answer is to encourage your children to be great companions of other children while playing. Drs. Jordan Peterson and Jean Piaget attempt to answer this question. Here, summarized, are some of their thoughts.
Our children’s primary source of socialization is not you as a parent. At least if you are a good parent, that is true. The best source of socialization for children will be their peers. And that means their selection of peers is of significant importance. It also means that your child’s desirability to their peers is crucial.
Another way to answer this question is to say that the more socially desirable your children are, the higher quality of peers they will attract. We know that a highly socially desirable child has many choices with regard to friendships. Conversely, an unpopular child has few or no choices with regard to quality peers.
Popularity is certainly not everything, and transient popularity is not a worthwhile pursuit, but it is certainly not nothing. There are few more miserable people than friendless children. That is a reflection of the fact that humans are social creatures.
What is it then, as parents, that we should be attending to in developing your children? In his book, “12 Rules for Life,” Dr. Jordan Peterson wrote, “Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.” What he is referring to is that there is a target window of appropriate behavior. To behave correctly, children (like us all) must show a particular behavior pattern that makes them worthwhile and attractive to other people.
Parents should teach their children that they have to deal with the social world, which is made up primarily of their peers (at least once they are three years old). Their children must learn to adapt to that world, or it will be tough on them; they will be miserable, isolated, and lonesome.
Parents should want their children to play with peers who can push them toward proper behavior. Our fundamental moral obligation is to ensure our children be champions in play with quality peers.
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Great discussions today, folks.
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It is hard to have and raise kids today with all the craziness going on. I can’t even drink a beer without politics intruding. #BoycottBudLight Yep, that is it, boycott a beer, esp when we are referred to as “fratty” and “out of touch” Read Gen. Satterfield’s article and learn.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/bud-light-underestimates-their-customers/
Got that right, mainer. Boycott Bud Light! 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
“…the more socially desirable your children are, the higher quality of peers they will attract.” Gen. Satterfield is not the first to say this, but it surely needs repeating over and over so that those young couples raising kids know the direction they should try to steer their kids. This is of serious importance today when we are distracted by the growth of immorality (those behaviors that are destructive). Convince me I’m wrong.
Julia, you got that right. Esp. the trans movement and its associated ideology that we all must reinforce their destructive behavior or we are somehow immoral (they call it transphobia). Transphobia is a contradiction in itself.
Great!!!!
If you are not on board fully with the trans movement, they will try to destroy you. How is all that tolerance working out for you now? Yeah, we know the answer.
Good point, Dennis and great ideas Julia. ❤
‘What is the most fundamental moral responsibility of a parent?’ The answer is to encourage your children to be great companions of other children while playing.’ — Gen. Satterfield, who nailed it.
Great article. Wish I had this perspective when raising my kids.
Women in marriages are seen as “slaves” to men and the patriarchy. That is such horseshit. Our “modern” women are not just destroying themselves, but their future spouse and children. They are also angry and bitter. This leads to bad things like pushing children to be something they cannot be like a different sex. The transgender movement is HIGHLY destruction to society and to the trans people. Yet, they love it. Or at least they say they love it.
Right Liz, this crazy progressive, pro-Marxist ideology is taking over for many reasons, mostly because we are intellectually lazy and want to “feel” good.
Today, you are a good parent only if your children are “transitioning” to another gender. Sick!