How can so many of us still be alive?

Question

Parenting books weren't around and "experts" didn't tell our parents and grandparents how to be parents. How in the world did so many of us survive without some litterature or another being shoved down our parents' throats?

Answer 1

Funny, because I think the older generation of parents did a much better job without all these 'experts' who have no kids telling us how to parent then most parents of today.

I see it, my son goes to school with these spoiled brats.

Answer 2

First, just because it wasn't written in a book, that doesn't mean that women of yesteryear got any less advice than we get today.

Second, way back in the day women had a lot more children than they do now. Even if a few of them didn't survive and reproduce there were still more than plenty left to continue populating the earth.

I think you may be asking this a bit tongue-in-cheek, and I agree that there's way too much information out there for moms and moms-to-be to wade through. If even one pregnant woman on the planet gets a little bit sick from drinking water, it seems that there's suddenly a major alert against anyone else doing the same thing. Best to take everything with a grain of salt.

Answer 3

I have no clue. I guess we all must have been miracles.

Seriously though I know where you are coming from. I like to read parenting books when I'm having problems and I want a new idea but I don't just use one style to make all of my parenting decisions--Ferber, Attachment Parenting, or Nanny 911.

I just go with my gut and so far it's worked well. I think people are so self conscious and not confident about their parenting skills in this day in age because other mothers can be VERY brutal so we all feel like we have to.

Oh well, I say screw the studies and go with what's right for your own family. After all every study I've seen virtually contradicts another so who knows who is right anyway?

Answer 4

Infant and childhood related serious diseases and mortality have steadily declined so there were many along the way that didn't make it. Parenting styles are one thing but medical advice from health organizations is something else entirely and isn't something to be belittled. We certainly do know our babies better then anyone else as far as preferences and things like that but it helps to have basic guidelines from people who have done studies on thousands of babies or more. I think saying that since you gave birth to a baby you automatically become expert in all things baby related is silly and foolish.

Answer 5

Most people do have common sense, but how many babies and children died unneccesarily b/c our ancestors didn't know better then? Nobody has to follow all the advice they ever hear but things have changed and with that people have a longer life expectancy. Aren't you glad we now know how many lives we have saved with the use of carseats? How many lives have been saved b/c we have vaccines to prevent terrible diseases? Medicines to treat and cure the ill. How many people went undiagnosed b/c nobody knew? I'm glad I have the resources there if I need them!

Answer 6

I get your drift, experts and PHD's don't raise good kids. Strong good human beings do. I like the "common sense" answer too. Child rearing is not rocket science. It's not easy, but it's more of a test of patience then "book smart". I personally don't put much into the latest research which is biased to one way of thinking. I'll stick with what works.

Answer 7

The parenting advice and tips that were so effective thirty years ago are often irrelevant to the twenty-first-century parent nowadays. It is really because of fast technological and social changes today. Children are facing radically different issues than their parents faced during their childhood. So to apply old fashioned techniques or solutions to a problem can actually backfire and cause physical or emotional injury. We see it every day with abused children that become parents today. There are some good things and bad from the old days but we have to really study what is best.

Parents today are bombarded with information about parenting so it is up to us to take what we need from it and be open minded at least. I find that the older a person is and the less socialized or educated they are, they tend to get scared of this changing world and revert back to old habits or impulses because it is all that they trust and know.

Our children may need different things from us as parents, than we did (years ago) when we were learning about parenting from our parents. For one thing, I refuse to discipline my children with hitting them, never smoke and keep current with what works today without damaging my child's social, emotional and intellectual needs.
Back then, formula was thought of as more superior than breastmilk which it isn't, smoking and drinking while pregnant was overlooked and like the person said way above that carseats and seatbelts weren't an option, products weren't recalled and in school, teachers were allowed to strap children. Children were told to do as I say and not as I do. Abuse, molestation and assault were forbidden to talk about for fear of embarrassement. I could go on.
Some of us didn’t have great role models or siblings to practice upon so we don't want to repeat bad past techniques.
I think alot of parenting books, shows and advice from pediatricians, doctors and professional child educators are a good thing and neccessary for today. Who wouldn't want to read up on having more confidence as a parent or wife, enjoy less stress, and have more fun with your children and husband. I think that the more educated we become, the better off we will be. It is scary to think there are people out there that fear it and stick to old fashioned thinking and techniques. These are the people searching and searching for others like them in hopes to confirm their beliefs so that they don't look bad.
Back then, other people probably did have pressures about parenting, it is just different now.

Answer 8

Hmmm, sounds like there may have been some sort of design for humans that they have naturally. There's lots of parenting advice even in the Bible (proverbs and more).

Answer 9

I never even sat in a car seat! OMG how did I survive! My parents must have been crazy to let me ride in a car without a five point harness!

Answer 10

Many people would have fewer issues to deal with if parents had taken parenting classes. Anybody can have a baby - there are no guidelines for qualifications for parenting.