Page 102 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

5.4 Responsibilities of Parents
Introduction

After marriage, every couple desires to bear
children within few years. Once a child is
born, both husband and wife feel entire
satisfaction and their parenthood starts.
Every child is very important for the parents
and the family. Parents responsibilities are
not completed only after bearing a child.
They must provide better care, nutrition,
education, affection, security, moral lessons,
manners, etc. to their children so that they
become self dependent, disciplined, well Fig: 23
cultured and responsible citizens in future.

Responsibilities of parents can be defined as the efforts and contributions made by parents
for children’s physical, mental, social, economic and emotional development so that they
can become responsible parents and citizens and contribute for society and nation.
A healthy child is a valuable property of every family. Every parent expects to observe
their children healthy and free from diseases. Parents must arrange healthy and nutritious
food, clothing, clean and safe drinking water and healthy environment in the family.
They should inculcate good habits for cleanliness, maintenance of personal hygiene,
sanitation, management of wastes, physical exercises and so on. Thus, the children can
develop positive attitudes and bring change in their behaviours towards healthy living.
Similarly, it is the prime responsibility of parents to motivate their children to achieve
education. They must encourage their children to go to school. By simply enrolling the
children in the school, parents responsibilities are not finished. They must be aware about
their children’s academic performance. They should be in regular contact with teachers
and school management. Apart from that, parents need to help their children in doing
homework. They can arrange some additional academic support if necessary. They need
to guide their children for mental development.
Parents are the leaders in the family. It is the responsibility of parents to maintain discipline
and make their children mannerful and self-disciplined. They need to provide moral
lessons, knowledge on social norms and values, culture and traditions to their children.
They should support children in developing positive attitude so that children always move
in right direction. Parents need to have their eyes on children’s activities. They need to
appreciate the changes during adolescence and provide them knowledge on sex education.
They should try to listen to their children’s problems and suggest them constructively for
their happiness and satisfaction.

Parents want to see their children successful and happy in their life. They should suggest
them to become independent. They need to motivate them to get married at appropriate
age. Even after marriage, parents should guide their children about family life and
continuously share their practical experience for maintaining peace, prosperity and
happiness in life.
102 GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9