Read the following passage about parent-child relationships and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 26 to 35,
[I] In recent years, the relationship between parents and children has profoundly changed. The decision about whether or not to have children is voluntary. [II] Adults who choose to be "child-free" are no longer dismissed as shallow or self-absorbed. [II] As a result, for most adults, having a child is a deliberate and purposeful decision, representing a conscious choice to assume the responsibilities of parenting. [IV]
Parenting has become more complex compared to the past. Parents today are bombarded with conflicting advice about various aspects of child-rearing, such as breastfeeding, sleep arrangements, and toilet training. Without clear guidelines from experts like Dr. Benjamin, moms and dads must decide for themselves how to rear their children. Parenting labels like attachment parenting, natural parenting, and positive parenting further complicate the decision-making process, leaving parents uncertain about the best way to raise their children.
At the same time, parents have grown more sensitive to the risks their children face, both physical and psychological. Anxiety defines modern parenting, from concerns about birth defects to children's safety. Media reports about the dangers of pedophiles, stranger abductions, bullying, and environmental hazards heighten these fears, leading to greater adult supervision and less freedom for children.
Finally, there has been a significant reversal in parental expectations. In the past, parents expected their children to love them, but today, parents seek to ensure that their children are happy and love them back. As work commitments increase, a sense of guilt often sours parent-child relationships, causing many parents to overcompensate by investing more time and resources in their children's development.
In conclusion, modern parenting has grown more complex due to shifting attitudes, conflicting advice, and heightened anxieties about children's well-being. Parents today face increasing pressures to balance guidance, independence, and emotional connection while navigating evolving expectations. Despite these challenges, their dedication to raising happy, well-adjusted children remains strong, shaping the future of parent-child relationships.
(Adapted from Explorer 3)
