First, I am not talking about second hand smoke, so please don't tell me that you smoke outside, or never around your child, because that is not the question.
I think everyone knows that the most powerful teaching method we have with children in “leading by example” or “role modelling”. A parent who smokes is teaching their kid(s) that smoking is not only acceptable, but that their protector/provider considers smoking an activity of value. You can tell your kids not to smoke until your blue in the face (and black in the lungs) but your actions speak much louder than words. And, since our most powerful sense is smell, not sight, your kid(s) does not need to see you smoke to know you smoke. Essentially, smokers are teaching their kids how to kill themselves.
Please do not throw at me comparisons with other substance abuse issues, or things that are worse than smoking, because that is not my question. My question is:
If a smoker is role modelling behaviour for their kid(s) that can potentially kill them, is that not totally irresponsible? If not, why not?
2006-07-07 06:43:45 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
As a smoker I will say yes. I'm irresponsible. My son has actually asked me to quit before and the only thing I could think to say was, "It's not that easy, sweetie." That was a really good intelligent question, and anyone that says no, it isn't irresponsible is only covering up their own guilt.
2006-07-07 07:45:04 · answer #1 · answered by Del 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No a smoker is not an irresponsible parent because i smoke and always tell my children that it is a drug and is very unhelathy for them. an irresponsible parent is one that doesn't care what choices their children make and let them do whatever they want w/o any regards to the consequences.
2006-07-07 06:49:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marijuana is more beneficial than most prescription medications. So says the facts. I don't smoke it, but I do believe and agree with those facts. But, you can't deny that it is addictive (and not in the same way as alcohol or cocaine). My brother is a chronic user and he CAN'T go without smoking up or else he is the most hateful person. My uncle is similar, though never hateful, just "stupid" on days he hasn't smoked up. I would rather see someone smoke some pot rather than be out having sex or doing other more harsh/harmful drugs.
2016-03-15 21:11:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, if the kids will smoke in the future is not because of parents smokers.
I've watched a lot of smokers's boys, they are worried about the health of their parents, not about wanting to smoke.
2006-07-07 08:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, if they were smoking while pregnant, they are already irresponsible parents because of the damage the toxic substances in cigarettes contain.
And you can't ignore comparing cigarettes with other substance abuses. They're exactly the same. Smoking makes you feel relaxed and happier, it's an addiction same as any other. An addiction to meth destroys your body in different ways, but essentially it's exactly the same. The only difference is that smoking is more socially acceptable. A trend that has been declining over the recent years
2006-07-07 06:49:32 · answer #5 · answered by roserzhus 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bad parents? No. Irresponsible? Maybe.
But you have to remember they (usually) did not start smoking AFTER they had children, but BEFORE. It is an addiction, and almost every smoker I know has tried to quit many times. It is just not something you can snap your fingers and do.
My hubby smokes, and although he smokes outside I am always afraid of our soon-to-be daughter smoking in the future ~ but:
Neither of his parents smoked, and he does. Conversely, both of my parents smoked, and I do not. I do not feel my parents were irresponsible, just stupid for putting themselves in harm's way.
2006-07-07 07:35:13 · answer #6 · answered by Queen D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that smokers are respondsible parents. They are spending money on there habits instead of saving that extra money towards college or other things for there child or chilren. Not to mention the effects of second hand smoke of the children. As parents we try to set an example for our children and when smokers are deliberately slowly killing themselves by smoking then they tell there kids not to do something that will hurt them yet they ae hurting themselves. Go figure!
2006-07-07 06:55:50 · answer #7 · answered by jj02 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as a smokers child i'm 15 and i am saying no it is not irriposible and the people you hear saying it is are not children of smokers or smokers themself
my father is very resposible and thru being raised by him i have a much deeper understanding of how disgustingly addictive it is and thru watching him i have learned to never with a ten foot pole touch anything addictive so no smoker
2006-07-07 07:20:21 · answer #8 · answered by meatballhead400 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. A parent needs to be a role model first, care giver second, and friend third. Smoking violates all of these.
Ever kiss someone who has smoked in the last week or so, the flavor is still there, even after several days. Those same lips should be kissing the child, when the residue is there your placing those carsinigions (sp?) on your childs skin.
2006-07-07 06:49:02 · answer #9 · answered by Brian McC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering all the stupid things that non-smokers do, I can't imagine smokers being worse parents. It's all relative....
2006-07-07 06:48:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋