As an individual grows, he is likely to have significant beliefs of how the future will unfold and the various activities they will conduct. This visionary thinking is usually based on imagined beliefs about the present experience. Being born into a big family may prompt an individual to either have children or contrary depending on the particular experiences during childhood. Depending on the kind of parenting initiated during the development process it is likely that as an adult, the offspring will elicit behavior and attitudes that demonstrate its effects. The following synthesis paper will demonstrate that the parenting strategies used on the interviewed individual have a direct impact on the significant decisions made on family and work in adulthood life.
Family
Even though it is nearly impossible to remember the first few years of childhood, the events that take place have a tendency to stick in the unconscious mind of the individual. A report by Singh (2014) dictates that “the type of emotional support that a child receives during the first three and a half years has an effect on education, social life and romantic relationships even 20 or 30 years later.” This study is a clear indicator of the lasting effect of family experiences on the long into adulthood. The interviewed fellow reported living with both his parents and two other siblings, both brothers in a large five bedroom house. Despite both parents having lucrative jobs, they would take turns in getting time off in an attempt to care for their own children. Unlike other rich families, the parents did not believe in neglecting their children to learn from the world or the various nannies hired to care for them. This practice would ensure that the interviewee feels the care and support in all aspects of their lives.
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Mother’s are usually given some time off from work immediately after giving birth to allow them to nurture their children and develop a bond between the two. According to Singh (2014) Lee Raby a psychologists admits that “in these early years, the parents' role is to communicate with the child and let them know, 'I'm here for you when you're upset, when you need me. And when you don't need me, I'm your cheerleader,'”. This study affirms the importance of a loving relationship between the parent and the child. The father of the interviewee took a month’s vacation from work when each of the children was born. Despite the fact that is not a common practice among American men the interviewee has already done the same for two of his children. He identifies the importance family and maintaining as healthy romantic relationship with his wife as an effective means of increasing fulfillment in life.
Education
The level of education for the members of a family usually influences the beliefs and attitudes towards various decisions that will be made in adulthood. According to a recent research conducted by Ermisch and Pronzato (2010) parental level of education has a significant effect on the attainment level of for the offspring though it is not an exclusive factor. This clearly affirms the need for high parental education level as a means of enabling children to strive in achieve similar heights. Parents with a higher level of education attainment the children will likely strive to attain the same level as them. This occurrence is evident in the life of the interviewee as both his parents have achieved post-graduate certification in their respective fields. The mother is a heart surgeon while the father is a practicing behavioral psychologist. The fellow has gone to achieve post-graduate recognition in his passion for law.
Though the modern world has increased labor opportunities for both men and women, the status of the parents in terms of social class can influence the education attainment and the income the child will earn. According to Erola, Jalonen and Lehti (2016) research shows that to some extent the family background influences the inheritance of social class, education and income for the offspring. This study evidently affirms the notion that a more affluent family background will likely increase the possibility of children inheriting the same social class and education. The interviewer’s siblings are both well educated with master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Medicine. The article asserts that father have more influence than the mothers in ensuring this inherited trait (Erola et al., 2016). The interviewee’s mother served as a role model that women too should have high levels of education. This aspect influenced him to get married to a highly educated woman in information and technology.
Work
The parents who maintain a balance between work and family are likely to influence the same beliefs and attitudes to the emerging adults. According to Powell and Greenhaus (2012) research has shown that the family domain is an integral factor in making decisions regarding the work domain. This study demonstrates that the decisions made concerning one’s career are more likely related to the family domain. In this case, parents conduct themselves in such a way that they can effectively share the responsibilities and demands of the family. Parents will often attempt to be present as the child grows up (Powell and Greenhaus, 2012). In the interviewee’s case, the parents were able to practice high levels of support and care for their children from an early age through to their adulthood. This behavior is evident from the father’s practice of spending a month at home after the birth of each child to care and build a bond with each one. He was able to instill the same attitude into his son who imitated the same for his two children.
Early introduction of children into the labor market has an effect of increasing the chances of emerging adults maintaining an independent lifestyle. According to a recent study by Hartnett, Furstenberg, Birditt and Fingerman (2013) research has shown “the increase in parent-to-child support coincides with delays in the transitions that traditionally signaled adult status and independence, including marriage and completing school” (975). Due to the high status of the interviewee’s parents have, he did not have to work a day in his life before completing school. As a result, he has spent much of his adulthood years living with his parents. Due to a family trust fund that had been created in his name while he was a child, the interviewee was could afford the numerous living expenses of after graduating from University before seeking for a job. Money was not an issue in the family hence the reason he would focus on his studies rather than struggling like some other Americans. He was able to concentrate on his studies to increase his qualifications for a potential job.
Changes
Divorce or dysfunctional family backgrounds significantly affects the romantic relationships that the offspring will have during adulthood. According Branch-Harris and Cox (2015) data has increased depicting the negative effects the divorce of parents has on the lives of children in young adulthood. This study clearly affirms that maintaining a functional and normal nuclear family is directly related to continued sustenance of the marriage institution. The interviewee reported being raised by both parents and even though there were significant problems in the marriage, they worked them out away from the children in most cases. Unlike most parents who may divorce after the children have become adult, his parents continue in their marriage happily. This modeling has influenced him to believe in the importance of marriage not only for the children but for one self. It is for this reason that he maintains the same beliefs from the time he was young.
Early bonding between a parent and the child also contributes to the ultimate education achievement of the emerging adult. According to reports by Singh (2014) research has shown that “about 10 percent of someone's academic achievement was correlated with the quality of their home life at age three. Later experiences, genetic factors and even chance explain the other 90 percent”. The study’s report is an affirmative of the notion that proper family interaction between the parent and child along with their siblings is only partly significant to improving the ultimate education outcome. The interviewee was raised by two caring parents and though there was minimal interaction with the extended family he felt the importance of family. In this way, he has maintained beliefs of work and family as he had as a young one.
Conclusion
The parenting techniques incorporated in the development and nurturing of a child through to adulthood have an impact on the ultimate outcome in the emerging adult. The family domain, working hours, and education level all come as part of the parenting strategies. A dysfunctional family such as that of a divorce is likely to create hostility and negativity about family for the child in adulthood. It is for this reason that numerous individuals in America have maintained a negative attitude towards the marriage institution and preferring to focus on work while enjoying life on their own. Parents who have sustained the turbulence of marriage are thus a role model and enable appropriate child development.
References
Branch-Harris, C., & Cox, A. (2015). The Effects of Parental Divorce on Young Adults Attitudes towards Divorce. Honors Theses , paper 376. Retrieved from http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1388&context=uhp_theses
Ermisch, J., & Pronzato, C. (2010). Causal effects of parents' education on children's education (Vol. 16). Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex. Retrieved from https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/files/iser_working_papers/2010-16.pdf
Erola, J., Jalonen, S., & Lehti, H. (2016). Parental education, class and income over early life course and children's achievement. Research in Social Stratification and Mobility , 44, 33-43.
Hartnett, C. S., Furstenberg, F. F., Birditt, K. S., & Fingerman, K. L. (2013). Parental Support During Young Adulthood Why Does Assistance Decline With Age?. Journal of family issues , 34(7), 975-1007.
Jensen, R. (2012). Do labor market opportunities affect young women's work and family decisions? Experimental evidence from India. The Quarterly Journal of Economics , qjs002.
Powell, G. N., & Greenhaus, J. H. (2012). When family considerations influence work decisions: Decision-making processes. Journal of Vocational Behavior , 81(3), 322-329.
Singh, M. (2014, Dec 19) Some Early Childhood Experiences Shape Adult Life, But Which Ones? NPR, Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/12/19/371679655/some-early-childhood-experiences-shape-adult-life-but-which
