Task 1b

Having two working parents: What are the pros and cons of having two working parents?

Nowadays, I realised that in most families both parents are working. I have found out on the website, Wiki Answers that about 75% of families have both parents working. It may be a good thing that both parents are working but at the same time, it may have its disadvantages. Children with working parents lack communication with their parents and are not able to spent time with their parents due to the time constraint. On the other hand, with both parents working, there will be extra income for the family allowing the family to be financially stable. I do not understand why there is a need for both parents to be working especially since it is a man's duty to support not a women's duty.

When both parents are working, there will be extra income for the family. It is good as there will be more money put aside for the child's development. The child will then have a comfortable and stable life not having to worry about money needed for education etc. Since both parents are working, there will be sufficient money for the child's needs. The parents also can afford to send the child for enrichment programs.

When both parents are at work, it would mean that the child is left at home alone. Since the child is being left home alone, the child has to take care of his/her own meals and take care of his/her own welfare. The child will then learn to be more independent from young without the parents being at home. My cousin, Lisa has both of her parents working since she was 7 years old. Now I noticed how independent she has grown into. She has the initiative to do things on her own.

One of the disadvantage of having both parents working is that the child will lack attention at home. Since the child is lonely, the child will start to hang out with his/her friends and give in to peer pressure. The child will then start to smoke, take drugs, drop out of school and so on. The parents may lost control over their child. I have watch many documentaries on children who drop out of school due to lack of attention from their parents. I find that this cases are very common in most families.

Since both parents are working, there is no time for interaction and communication between the child and the parents. The relationship between the child and his/her parents will not be close. Thus, problems will arise. Soon, it will seem as though the parents are total strangers to the child due to the lack of communication. Many working parents nowadays are not very close with their children. In some families, the child is closer to the maid than his/her parents.

In conclusion, there are pros and cons of having both parents working. By having both parents working, the family will be financially stable. However, the child will also lack attention at home. It is always important to ensure that the child has enough attention at home as it affects the child not only at home but also at school.