但是1946年,本杰明·斯波克(Benjam inSpock)博士著有《儿童和育儿》(Baby and Child Care)一书,成为“育儿圣经”,斯波克反对打孩子屁股(spanking),说这样会伤害孩子自尊。有的家长看到斯波克的书,别的东西没有学到,就学会对孩子宽容这一套,以至于一代人长大后,权利意识和自我意识十分强,却又没有学会如何担负责任,尊重权威。有些人甚至认为是斯波克倡导的纵容和放任,导致了上世纪60年代的嬉皮和反叛。
在参加今年的儿童博物馆年会时听了一场讲座,讲座的主题是关于儿童与自然,其中有一位主讲人带来了一部纪录片Where do the children play?(孩子在何处玩耍?)这部纪录片于2001年开始拍摄,起源于Elizabeth Goodenough博士编写的一本书Secret Spaces of Childhood。这部纪录片开篇就对比了美国50年前的儿童和现在的儿童不同的生存环境,为了更好的让观众了解现在的儿童,纪录片拍摄了生活在美国小岛、郊区以及城市中的不同孩子的生活。片中记录了远离自然、远离人群、沉迷于电脑、游戏、网络给孩子带来的身心伤害,同时也揭示了被父母苦心“经营”的孩子在忙于参加各种各样的培训班后所产生的问题。该纪录片在2008年尤金国际电影节中获社会问题/家庭价值类最佳影片奖。
据皮尤研究中心下属机构——皮尤网络与美国生活项目(Pew Internet and American Life Project)四月的一项研究报告称,美国12至17岁的青少年中,拥有手机的比例为75%,比2004年增加了45%。另据业内人士称,儿童拥有手机的年龄正越来越小。例如,这项研究发现,美国12岁儿童拥有手机的比例为58%,在2004年这一数字仅为18%。
As the father of two young daughters, I know that being a father is one of the most important jobs any man can have.
My own father left my family when I was two years old. I was raised by a heroic mother and wonderful grandparents who provided the support, discipline and love that helped me get to where I am today, but I still felt the weight of that absence throughout my childhood. It's something that leaves a hole no government can fill. Studies show that children who grow up without their fathers around are more likely to drop out of high school, go to jail, or become teen fathers themselves.
And while no government program can fill the role that fathers play for our children, what we can do is try to support fathers who are willing to step up and fulfill their responsibilities as parents, partners and providers. That's why last year I started a nationwide dialogue on fatherhood to tackle the challenge of father absence head on.
In Chicago, the Department of Health and Human Services held a forum with community leaders, fatherhood experts and everyday dads to discuss the importance of responsible fatherhood support programs. In New Hampshire, Secretary of Education Duncan explored the linkages between father absence and educational attainment in children. In Atlanta, Attorney General Holder spoke with fathers in the criminal justice system about ways local reentry organizations, domestic violence groups and fatherhood programs can join together to support ex-offenders and incarcerated individuals who want to be closer to their families and children.
Now we're taking this to the next level. Tomorrow, I'll make an announcement about the next phase of our efforts to help fathers fulfill their responsibilities as parents -- The President's Fatherhood and Mentoring Initiative. You can l ……