Latchkey Kids

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Mothers now-adays in the US tend to leave their children at daycares daily so they can pursue careers. This has produced a generation of "Latchkey kids" who are left home-alone, or with strangers for long periods of time. Recent studies have shown these kids are more likely to do drugs, and be more aggressive. Should mothers who have a secure household stay home and take care of their children? I think they should, for the next generations sake. *discuss*

[dem.re.cmd.exe]

Well, that statistic seems rediculous. I don't think that women should have to stay home. Why is it that women should be tthe ones at home? Nevermind about that topic.


Should women stay home to take care of their children because they might do drugs?
No, I think that the children would be perfectly fine at daycares.

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Studies have shown otherwise. Kids are more aggressive, and more prone to disease. *When latch key children are functioning well, we don't hear about them. But we do hear about the one-third of all complaints to child welfare agencies which involve latch key children. We know about the 51% who are doing poorly in school. Most teachers believe that being alone at home is the number one cause of school failure. The afternoon hours are the peak time for juvenile crime. In the last 11 years, juvenile crime has increased 48%. The Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development found that 8th graders who are alone 11 hours a week are twice as likely to abuse drugs as adolescents who are busy after school. The Council also found that teens who have sexual intercourse do it in the afternoon in the home of boys whose parents work. Unsupervised children are more likely to become depressed, smoke cigarettes and marijuana and drink alcohol. They are also more likely to be the victims of crimes. When home alone latch key children generally watch television, eat snacks, play with pets and fight with siblings.* -- NYU Child Studies Center

[Sage]

How the hell would I get drugs when I'm locked in my house for 16 hours a day? o_o

[Hyper]

I consider such studies to be stupid generilzations made by people distant to real life..

The only problem is the lack of parenting skill.. I.e father figure, mother ''figure''..

There's alot of single mothers nowadays...

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

How are they generalisations? They interview kids. Its solid data...

[Hyper]

How are they generalisations? They interview kids. Its solid data...

They interview and make their own assumptions..

And they interview a small quanity of the overall.. So it IS a speculative genealization based on partial data..

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

All surveys are done that way, the surveys give us a general idea.

[Hyper]

All surveys are done that way, the surveys give us a general idea.

''Generalization..''

( I dearly apologize if I am typoing that :P )

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Ok, yes, generalisation... So What? It stil gives us some insight into the harm this is doing...

[Hyper]

Ok, yes, generalisation... So What? It stil gives us some insight into the harm this is doing...

And what do you think the solution is?

We got more single mothers than ever..

We got more crappy dads than ever......



Besides that.. It ALL depends on the child him/herself and their parents.. Though thats not always solid as some kids are stubborn and never listen to their parents even if they aren't ''punks''

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

The solution is that mothers, in situations where it is possible, need to put their children ahead of careers!

[Hyper]

The solution is that mothers, in situations where it is possible, need to put their children ahead of careers!

Sure, but that may not always be possible..

IC: To respond to your question.. Yes I think mothers should stay home if it is possible..

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

Ok, then what is the debate? If mothers can, they should stay home and take care of kids. We have reached a consensus!

[Hyper]

Ok, then what is the debate? If mothers can, they should stay home and take care of kids. We have reached a consensus!

There really was none, I just didn't like your refrence to the studies and how you presented the ''case''

[Hauptmann Kauffman]

But havent we agree'd generally?

[Hyper]

But havent we agree'd generally?

Yes..

[western ninja]

why don't the fathers stay at home....

[Maverick]

why don't the fathers stay at home....
Its very very socially unacceptable to be a stay at home dad.

[0=]

And the mom is the one with the breast milk.

[Mannequin]

Haha. I'm surprised no one mentioned this. It's almost impossible for most families to not have two working parents. Most adults with young children are young themselves and just beginning a career. They cannot afford to stay home. If it was that easy everyone would be doing it. I think daycares are positive and help kids interact and not be complete spoiled brats and think that getting all of the attention is normal.

[mrmcdonaldduck]

to the poster above, wha?!!
i agree entirely with you, OP.

[Bluearmy]

Throughout the majority of my childhood, and now, I usually am by myself at home; and I don't do any of those things. I have single parent who is working hard to support the both of us, and I can understand why work needs to be done.

In the end though, a child's behavior is a reflection of the things they have been influenced by. Lack of time spent with the said child can add to poor parenting, so I can see where you are going with this. But people don't have a lot of options right now, especially in times like these.

[Kaleidoscope Eyes]

Very old thread.
:locked: