UNIVERSITY OF LUCKNOW
FACULTY OF LAW
SESSION- 2023-24
SUBJECT:LAW AND JUSTICE IN GLOBALISED
WORLD
TITLE: FEMINISM AND ITS THEORIES
SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY
DR. VARUN CHHACHHAR ABU SUFIYAN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR SEMESTER II
FACULTY OF LAW ROLL NO. 2310013215023
LUCKNOW UNIVERSITY CLASS ROLL NO .05
LL.M.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my deep gratitude to professor ,who gave me
the golden opportunity to do assignment of FAMILY
JURISPRUDENCE on the topic: “DEFINING PARENTHOOD IN
MODERN FAMILY” who also helped in completing my assignment.
Their guidance, encouragement, care also helped me to complete this assignment
on time . I came to know about many new things. I really thankful to him.
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. CHANGING NORMS OF PARENTING
3. INDIAN PARENTHOOD AS A BASIC UNIT OF SOCIETY
4. SINGLE MOTHER AS PARENT
5. CONCLUSION
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACTS
Parenthood is a highly valued life goal. Understanding social aspects of parental well-being is
vital, because parents’ welfare has implications not only for parents themselves but also for
child development, fertility, and the overall health of a society. This article provides a review
of on parenthood and well-being in advanced economies. It focuses on the role of social,
economic, cultural, and institutional contexts of parenting in influencing adult well-being. We
identify major themes, achievements, and challenges and organize the review around the
demands-rewards perspective and two theoretical frameworks: the stress process model and
life course perspectives. The analysis shows that rising economic insecurities and inequalities
and a diffusion of intensive parenting ideology were major social contexts of parenting .
Parenting contexts and parental well-being illuminated how stressors related to providing and
caring for children could unjustly burden some parents, especially mothers, those with fewer
socioeconomic resources, and those with marginalized statuses. In that vein, continued to
emphasize how stressors diverged by parent ‘s socioeconomic status.
INTRODUCTION
“Parenthood” has been defined as a process of bearing or adoption, and rearing of children.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the concept as “the state of one that begets or brings
forth children”. According to contemporary standards, “parenthood” involves a number of
daily responsibilities, and financial and affective obligations such as the education and
instruction of one's children. The notion of “parenthood” also presupposes an active concern
for a child's welfare, physical and intellectual development. Initially, parenthood was
concerned with teaching the taboo, with what is forbidden, and with inculcating the basic rules
and restrictions to the young. Later on, parenthood began to be seen as a longer process of
nurturing. It was increasingly centred on the concept of caring. Such was the case of certain
utopian societies founded on the American continent (e.g. the Owenite societies of the 19th
century) which developed some of the first kindergartens. Children were raised and educated
together and society itself was engaged in a collective effort of parenting. The same concept
was developed in Europe almost at the same time (Germany, ca. 1840). In fact, defining
“parenthood” itself is a recent preoccupation but the concerns and worries of parenthood are as
old as the world.
A common saying—that being a parent is the most difficult and the most rewarding job in the
world—resonates with many people. Parents shoulder a myriad of challenging responsibilities
in raising the next generation over a long stretch of their adulthoods, but having children also
provides adults with a sense of purpose and meaning in life .Parental well-being has
implications for child well-being, fertility, and society more broadly. Parenting strains, defined
as felt difficulties with the demands and conflicts within the parenting role, and poor parental
well-being can have significant implications for children’s developmental outcomes. Thus,
investigating social patterns in how parenthood and parenting affect adults’ well-being is
imperative in order to create supports that allow parents to thrive. In this review, “parenthood”
refers to being a parent versus remaining childless. “Parenting” refers to what parents do in
terms of raising, supporting, and socializing children throughout their lives. We define “well-
being” broadly to include subjective well-being (e.g., life satisfaction, life meaning, loneliness),
emotional health (e.g., anger, guilt), mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety), and physical
heath. Parenthood, parenting, and well-being produced a rich ,diversity body of work , attest
•https://www.scribd .com/document /624039453/Parenting –in -21st- Century, last visited on
30 march 2024
-ing to the importance of understanding this central adult role. The decade started in the
aftermath of the great recession when people in advanced economies were reminded of the
harsh reality of economic insecurity, economic inequalities, and thus uncertainties regarding
children’s futures .The recognition of the diffusion and deepening of intensive parenting norms,
seemingly accelerated by the rise of economic insecurities .Parental well-being, as mothers and
fathers appeared to be under pressure.
CHANGING NORMS OF PARENTING
Child development in the contemporary time have become a scientific subject. Parents are
witnessing a lot of changing around them ,so it has become for them crucial to develop
personality of their children on modern lines. Modern parenting has undergone significant
changes in the last few decades. With the advancements in technology and changes in societal
norms, the way parents raise their children has also evolved. One of the most noticeable
changes in modern parenting is the shift towards a more permissive and child-centered
approach. This style of parenting is characterized by being more responsive to a child’s needs
and less focused on control and discipline. This has led to parents being more involved in their
children’s lives and offering a supportive and nurturing environment. This style of parenting is
believed to promote healthy self-esteem, independence, and a strong sense of self in children.
However, the permissive parenting style has also been criticized for producing entitled and
narcissistic children who lack self-discipline and respect for authority. This is because children
raised in permissive environments may not learn the importance of boundaries, consequences,
and responsibility, which are essential for their personal growth and development .Another
trend in modern parenting is the increased use of technology in child-rearing. From video-
calling grandparents to educational apps, technology has become an integral part of modern
parenting. This has made it easier for parents to stay connected with their children and provide
educational resources and opportunities. However, the overuse of technology can also have
negative effects on children, such as decreased face-to-face communication skills, reduced
physical activity, and exposure to inappropriate or harmful content. Working parents are
another factor that has shaped modern parenting. With more and more women entering the
workforce, many families are facing the challenges of balancing work and family life. This has
led to a rise in the use of daycare and other forms of childcare, which can have both positive
and negative effects on children. On the one hand, daycare can provide children with
socialization opportunities and exposure to different experiences. On the other hand, it can also
lead to separation anxiety, loss of attachment to a primary caregiver, and difficulties in
developing secure attachments later in life
PARENTHOOD AS A BASIC UNIT OF SOCIETY
Parents are the basic unit of society primarily responsible for child-rearing functioning They
are responsible for providing physical necessities, emotional support. learning opportunities.
practical assistance, information, supervision. moral guidance. building self-esteem and
resilience in children. Both men and women are supposed to perform their stereotypical roles
in most of the families in India. Mothers are primarily responsible for children. Mothers in
general have more knowledge about their children daily lives than father. Father's involvement
has been defined and measured in various ways. Fathers are likely to devote special attention
to character traits necessary for the future. especially qualities such as independence. self-
reliance. In conclusion it can be said that mother and father have their own roles to play in
Indian families for child development.
A family can be a single parent family, Step family. or a first marriage family. But of all family
types, single parent families have made the most gains during the past few decades. Parenting
is the act or process of raising children. Single parenting on the other hand is exactly the same
yet with only one parent raising her child or children.
The single parent family consists of one parent raising one or more children on his own. Often.
a single parent family is a mother with her children. Although there are single fathers as well,
The single parent family has also been termed the one parent, the lone parent., and the solo
parent family. among others. to describe its structure. Single parent families are families with
children under 18 headed by a parent who is widowed or divorced and not remarried, or by a
parent who has never married. Single parenting is a full time job that involves hard Work,
dedication. exhaustion and regular overtime. According to Longman Dictionary or
Contemporary English, single-parenting has been defined as a mother or father who looks
children on their own without the other partner. (Ham. 2004)
It is believed that the two parent family is a better environment for children's development than
the single parent family. Single parents are faced with many trials. Along are the problems of
financial, emotional, and social aspects. But even though. it is hard to be a single parent. It also
•https://www.researchgate .net /publication /29049674-Modern –families-Parents, last visted
on 2 April 2024
a good result when it comes to the relationship between the parent and child. But today ,single
parent family is the biggest change society has seen in terms of the changes in family structures.
One recent trend illustrating the changing nature of families is the rise in prevalence of single-
parent or one-parent households. Single parent families can no longer be viewed as non-
traditional families. These families are all around us today. In the United States, almost half of
all children age 15 will have lived under a single-parent . The percentage of single-parent
families have tripled in the past fifty(50) years and has continued to be larger among Latino
and African American families when compared to the general population (US Census, 2010).
In 2000, 27% of all U.S children living were in single-parent families; among African
American families 53% were living with only one parent.The vast majority of these single
parents homes are headed by women. It is reported that single-father homes represent 7% of
total single-parent homes in the country.
Today, marriage is no longer regarded as an essential pre-requisite to family life. Divorce rate
has increased rapidly resulting in single parent families. Joint family has been replaced by
Nuclear family/Single parent family. In the changing scenario of the world, a lot of changes
have been taking place in the role of women, The work participation rate for women has
increased significantly. In 1981, work participation rate for women was only 19.67 % which
increased upto 22.73% in 1991 and 25.63 % in 2001 (Statistical profile on women labour 2009-
2011).
Important reasons of formation of single parent families are discussed below
1 .Death of spouse: In India many single parent families are because of death of a spouse.
2. Divorce: The divorce of parents, even if it is an amicable decision, tears apart a family the
fundamental unit of Indian society. With womenfolk becoming increasingly economically
independent and more aware of their rights. there is a growing trend of refusal to continue in
an abusive or unsatisfying marriage. and divorce rates too are on the increase .
3. Job separation: Now a days people are concentrating more on their jobs than their families
with growing urbanization and materialism parents are compelled to seek job away from their
families. Today not only men but women are also seeking jobs outside their homes. This
phenomenon is termed as part time single parenting
.• https://www.jstor.org/stable./j.ctt9qgc35 , last visited 0n 2 April 2023
Traditionally death of a spouse was the commonest cause of single parent family. India is
perhaps a country where widowhood in addition to being a personal status, exists as a social
institution. Widows' deprivation and stigmatization are exacerbated by ritual and religious
symbolism. Indian society, similar to all patriarchal societies confers social status on a woman
through a man. Hence in the absence of a man, she herself becomes a non-entity, ultimately
suffering a social death. Sati (widow burning) is the ultimate manifestation of this belief which
was abolished..
Life in a single-parent household though common can be quite stressful for the adult and the
children. The single parent may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of juggling caring for
the children, maintaining a job and keeping up with the bills and household chores.
Some social scientists and politicians have concluded that only traditional two- parent families
are capable of raising children successfully. They blame single mothers both divorced and
never married for a variety of social problems that are beyond their control. Since there is little
conclusive evidence that single parent families are harmful. society should stop stigmatizing
families headed by single mothers and give them the support they need.
CONCLUSION
Finally, modern parenting is also characterized by increased cultural diversity and
globalization. This has led to parents adopting a more eclectic approach to child-rearing,
drawing on a variety of cultural and educational practices to suit their children’s needs. This
diversity in parenting styles can provide children with exposure to different perspectives and
ways of life, promoting cultural competence and understanding. In conclusion, modern
parenting has undergone significant changes in recent years. The shift towards a more
permissive and child-centered approach, the increased use of technology, the challenges faced
by working parents, and the cultural diversity of modern parenting have all had an impact on
the way children are raised. It is up to each individual parent to determine the best approach
for their children, taking into account the unique challenges and opportunities presented by
modern life.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.scribd .com/document /624039453/Parenting –in -21st- Century
https://www.researchgate .net /publication /29049674-Modern –families-Parents
https://www.jstor.org/stable./j.ctt9qgc35
