Responsible Parenthood – SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (Third Term)

Responsible parenthood is the ability of parents to provide for the overall needs of their children so that they become responsible citizens in the society.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain the meaning of responsible parenthood.
2. State the duties of parents from conception to adulthood.
3. List the roles and responsibilities of the father.
4. List the roles and responsibilities of the mother.
5. State the importance of responsible parenthood to the society.

What does responsible parenthood involve?

Responsible parenthood involves meeting a child’s needs from conception to responsible adulthood.

• Parent: a father or mother who gives birth to, adopts or raises a child.
• Responsible citizen: a person who obeys the law, works hard and contributes to the growth of the nation.
• Shared duty: both husband and wife take part in raising the children.
• Time span: the duties cover the child’s life from conception to responsible adulthood.
• Aim: to prepare the child for a useful and responsible adult life.

What are the needs of children that parents must meet?

There are seven main needs of children: financial, educational, social, emotional, material, health and moral.

What are the duties of parents to their children?

The duties of parents begin when the child is conceived and continue until the child becomes a responsible adult.

What are the duties of parents before birth?

• Start of duty: the duties of parents begin when the child is conceived.
• Joint care: husband and wife both ensure that the baby receives adequate care.
• Antenatal clinic: the wife attends the clinic regularly.
• Nutrition: the wife eats well for the total development and wellbeing of the baby.

What are the duties of parents from birth to adulthood?

• Monitoring: both parents watch over the child from cradle to adult stage.
• Choice of friends: parents monitor the type of friends the child keeps.
• Moral and religious guidance: parents guide the children in the way of God.
• Care and feeding: parents feed, clothe and shelter the child.
• Health: parents take the child to hospital and see to immunisation.
• Education: parents send the child to school and support his or her learning.
• Discipline: parents correct the child when he or she does wrong.
• Example: parents show good character, because children copy what they see at home.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the father?

The father’s main roles are to provide for, protect and guide his family.

1. Finance: he provides for the financial needs of his family.
2. Nutrition: he provides for the nutritional needs of the family.
3. Security: he provides security for his family.
4. Shelter: he provides shelter for the family.
5. Education: he pays adequate attention to his children’s education.
6. Discipline: he disciplines the family members when any of them is at fault.
7. Values: he ensures that the children imbibe good values.
8. Love: he shows his family love and care.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the mother?

The mother’s main roles are to care for the home, nurture the children and guide their behaviour.

1. Cooking: she prepares food for the family.
2. Cleanliness: she keeps the house and surroundings clean.
3. Feeding: she ensures the children are well fed.
4. School preparation: she wakes up early to prepare the children for school and get their food ready.
5. Education: she supervises the children’s homework and visits the school to ascertain their performance and behaviour.
6. Financial support: she supports her husband financially when necessary.
7. Health: she monitors the health of the children.
8. Obedience and respect: she teaches her children to be obedient and respectful to family members and neighbours.
9. Good example: she shows exemplary character, good relationship with neighbours and high moral values.
10. Discipline: she corrects the children when they go wrong.

What happens when parents are not responsible?

When parents are not responsible, children suffer neglect and may turn to crime.

• Neglect: children lack food, shelter, health care and schooling.
• Street children: some children leave home to fend for themselves.
• Bad company: children without guidance may join bad friends.
• Juvenile delinquency: young people may take part in stealing, cultism and other crimes.
• Low self-worth: children who lack love may feel unwanted.
• Illiteracy: children who are not sent to school grow up without skills.

Why is responsible parenthood important?

Responsible parenthood is important because it produces good citizens and a peaceful society.

1. Nation building: it produces responsible children who will build up the nation.
2. Good values: it promotes good character and a good value system in the society.
3. Peace: it brings about peace and harmony in the society.
4. Less crime: it reduces the rate of crime in the society.
5. Sense of belonging: it encourages children to contribute to the development of their country.
6. Less illiteracy: it reduces the level of illiteracy in the society.
7. Less conflict: it helps to reduce conflict in the society.
8. Good leaders: it produces future leaders with a spirit of nationalism and patriotism.
9. Unity: it enhances unity in the society.
10. Strong families: it ensures responsible families in the society.

Evaluation

1. What is responsible parenthood?
2. When do the duties of parents begin?
3. State five responsibilities of a father.
4. State five responsibilities of a mother.
5. Give four reasons why responsible parenthood is important to the society.

Assignment

List four needs of children that responsible parents should provide for, and explain how responsible parenthood helps to reduce crime and illiteracy in the society.