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Conversation Space 
Stephanie B.,
Feb 26, 2009, 11:07AM EST
I think parenting today is much more challenging, especially for women. Most families today require both parents to work full time to be able to afford them the livestyle that families 50 years ago would be able to enjoy, which leaves less time to focus exclusively on parenting. My children will need to be more self reliant than I was at their age.
Denise B.,
Feb 26, 2009, 8:44AM EST
I think todays challenges are harder. Drugs are prevelant, situations that used to just end in fist fights between kids are now either school shootings or law suits, back then schools used to be a safe place to send your kids - today that is not always the case. Also the challenge of not having your kids addicted to TV and video games and getting them to be active is a new challenge unique to this time.
Janet "Jax" B.,
Feb 25, 2009, 11:13PM EST
Parenting is equally as challening, but it's just different challenges.
JoAnne D.,
Feb 25, 2009, 11:12PM EST
I agree with Jan, it is harder for two working parents to have the quality time the family unit deserves.
Jan S.,
Feb 25, 2009, 10:51PM EST
50 years ago, there were accepted standards of behavior. Common courtesy and common sense we actually common. With parents home all over the neighborhood, we boomer kids always had someone looking out for us.
Neighborhoods are empty of children and parents now, at least during the day. Dual income parents are tired and stressed from working and don't seem to be able to teach their kids good values and discipline. 
golds g.,
Feb 25, 2009, 9:47PM EST
parenting then had its challenges as it does today. However today there are more problems and things to be on the lookout for from drugs and alcohol to peer pressure to do stupid things especially with celebrities being role models and influencing the public
ELLEN B.,
Feb 25, 2009, 5:32PM EST
Parenting in both "time frames" has so many dangers, and so many situations that require constant watch by parents to protect their children, that it has to be equal. Elaborating on this would take a whole article in itself, but both these generations of parents had their own sets of serious problems..Ellen B
Janie E.,
Feb 25, 2009, 4:26PM EST
Great question! I feel it's more challenging raising kids today because 50 yrs ago, which was 1959 and the year my middle sister was born, I was 9 yrs old and eventhough my parents weren't rich by any means, they never had to deal with drug problems, etc with their children. Gangs were unheard of, too!
I'm not saying that my parents had it easy, because I know it was difficult raising 6 children on my Dad's meager pay. My grandmother would sew clothes for us every school year to help. I'm just saying that they didn't have to deal with the issues facing our kids today. 
Tamara L~will view, may comment~ S.,
Feb 25, 2009, 4:19PM EST
I think being a parent today is more difficult, because more is expected of women, both from ourselves and from our spouses. Our duties at home don't cease just because we become working mothers.
Holly Jahangiri,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:59PM EST
Susan, I disagree that the "loss of organized, compulsory religion means the loss of a lever of authority." When was religion in this country "compulsory"? It may be, within the family unit - but how has that been "lost"? And which is better: a child who does the right thing, simply because it IS the right thing, or a child who does the right thing to please a parent or because he fears retribution from the parent or from God? You can still tell your child tales of the boogeyman, for that matter, but when he thinks for himself, will he still make good choices?
Holly Jahangiri,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:56PM EST
Even 40 years ago, the community was more positively involved in the overall upbringing of children. Technology wasn't so pervasive or fraught with personal safety risks. There were drugs, but they weren't as easy to get (and the more common ones probably weren't as deadly). There were perverts and criminals, but they didn't get their 15 minutes of fame on the national news, and there was such a thing as "shame," so it wasn't as easy or common to commit crimes against children. 50-60 years ago, I think education was viewed as less of a chore and more of a privilege. And it seemed more entertaining - there was no TV or Internet or video game distraction. There was homework, playing outside with friends, and books. I don't think Parenting was easier - just that there were fewer pitfalls to anticipate and deal with. Oh - and no one would've dared threaten their own parents with a call to CPS or a lawsuit if their parents "dared" to discipline them.
April H.,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:43PM EST
There’s no doubt about it, parenting can be the toughest job we ever tackle. weather it was 50 years ago or today, when faced with the challenge of raising productive, well-rounded, happy human beings, flying to the moon seems like an easier task.
Susan Budig,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:30PM EST
I like the poll. I think it's more challenging now. We are so much more individualized with an orientation to self-hood, no longer unity and family. As individuals, we seem more destructive now.
The loss of organized, compulsory religion means the loss of a lever of authority. 
Danielle P.,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:11PM EST
That is a neat poll. I think it's equal. Each generation is faced with different challenges and different circumstances.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~.,
Feb 25, 2009, 3:11PM EST
I voted!
Today is alot harder!
April H.,
Feb 23, 2009, 1:39PM EST
Stefanie, Thanks for the web site location to get those really neat polls.
Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team,
Feb 16, 2009, 3:21PM EST
April, you can try Polldaddy.com.
♠~Dnbuster~♠ ~.,
Feb 16, 2009, 2:07PM EST
Hi ya'll!!
April H.,
Feb 16, 2009, 1:52PM EST
Love that little poll thing. How do you put that into a group?
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