Many of us are surprised to learn that about two decades ago, only fathers went to work; while mothers were housewives. Somehow they managed. In modern Singapore, it has become necessary for both parents to work. This essay attempts to show the advantages and disadvantages, for children, if both parents go to work.
What are the advantages of both parents working?
The advantages are that children will grow up to be more independent and there will be more money for the family. On the other hand, the disadvantages would be that there will be a lack of communication between parents and children and there will less moral guidance for the children.
The first advantage of both parents working is that their children will be more independent. They may learn household skills, learn to do per
...sonal chores on their own including doing homework unsupervised. They will learn to manage their own time, to handle simple ‘emergencies’, such as blackouts and lift breakdowns. They will learn to be responsible without always referring to their parents. All this will be good for them when they become adults.
Another advantage is that with both parents working, there will be more income in the family. Unless the parents have bad habits, the extra income would mean the children can live more luxurious lives. They can have better food, a bigger home, a car to travel in, go to better schools, pay for better tuition etc. This means, the children will grow up with better facilities, be healthier and able to cope better as adults.
Disadvantages of Both Parents Working
The first disadvantage is that there will
be too little communication between children and the parents. The children may grow up without enough affection. This may cause adjustment problems in later life. There will be little bonding between the parents and the children; this means, they may not love their parents enough to look after them in their old age.
The second disadvantage is the lack of moral guidance for children with both parents at work. They may not develop a sense of right and wrong. This may end with them having no respect for the law and becoming criminals later on. Their not receiving enough attention and love and guidance may end with them doing all sorts of anti-social acts to draw attention to themselves.
Both parents working statistics
| Youngest child aged under 3 | Youngest child aged 3 to 6 | Youngest child aged 7 to 17 | |
| Both employed | 43% | 78% | 79% |
| Father employed, mother non-employed |
49% |
13% | 10% |
| Mother employed,
father non-employed |
3% | 7% | 10% |
| Both non-employed | 5% | 2% | 1% |
In conclusion, we have to understand that more money could also lead to pampering and that could lead to negative results. Too much independence may lead to daringness and this, coupled with lack of moral guidance, may lead to lots of problems. On the other hand, if parents are mindful of the negative effects, eg of not spending enough time with their children, they can minimize the effect by spending quality time. Children of working parents can also be left under the care of grandparents or other responsible relatives; who may act as guardians.
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