"Parents supply that concentrated love for the individual child, that intimate cherishing which the most generous teacher, whose affections are necessarily distributed over many, can never give. The child needs this selective affection. The love of the parent is the warm nest for the fledgling spirit of the child. To be at home in this strange world, the young being with no claims as yet on the score of usefulness to society or of merit of any kind, must find somewhere a place where he or she is welcomed without regard to usefulness or merit. It is this love of the parents that makes the home, and it is his own home that makes the child at home in the world."
2007-12-13 00:47:14 · 5 answers · asked by auntb93 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
The quote itself and the context in which it was originally given are of the nature of a "Very Great Concept."
The problem is that it is too Ivory Tower and does not reflect the reality of world we live in. Few parents are in a position to provide the concentrated unconditional love. Many parents provide too much in the way of material goods and political or religious dogma and leave their children emotionally abandoned.
In addition, too many parents end up "living through their children." It is the parent's hope and dreams which become important, not those of the child. This is a big mistake.
Child abuse is more than just sexual perversion. Emotional abuse of children is rampant. This is complicated further by some home schooling (which can be a control method under the guise of giving a better education). The paranoia involved in "don't talk to strangers" is having a very negative effect on children of all ages.
I take a different view that children have neither "usefulness or merit" in regard to society as a whole. Children are our future and every child (not just those biologically related) should be loved unconditionally. Most adults cannot accept this attitude.
2007-12-13 02:13:39 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 12⤊ 0⤋
I think Adler has a great point. I think parents are the single most influential people in a child's life, and what happens to children at an early age can have an enormous impact on their later life. Teachers and others may have some impact, but parents are the biggest influence by far.
Dana (counseling master's student)
2007-12-13 08:55:43 · answer #2 · answered by Dana A 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't put it in those words but, yes I think that it's a true statement. A home and a family and parents offer a child a place to belong and a place to fit in and a place to be cared for and a place to learn to trust. Children need this ultimate supply of unconditional love in order to grow up and even have a chance at being healthy.
2007-12-13 08:54:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree....Giving the child a sense of a safe place where love is unconditional can be critical in that child's development!
2007-12-13 08:56:28 · answer #4 · answered by Mommacat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bravo!
2007-12-13 12:10:31 · answer #5 · answered by Teresa H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋