Life begins in the same way for all, much research prove the prenatally and after birth, multiple influences impact human behaviour and development. In a developing child’s life, the interaction of the people around is invaluable in shaping future citizens who are productive, socially aware, and creative in society. If we maintain that children are the future of the world, then the contribution of the parents who shape them and give them appropriate care, opportunities, love, support, and education is undeniable. The changing family structures and the impact of multiple factors on the family dynamics is evident all around in the UK and globally. The outbreak of Covid 19 brought to focus the role of parents and their impact on children’s physical, psychological and social aspects of development. While the key role of any parent is not defined in any formal way most parents and children agree that the role of a parent is diverse and can encompass a role of a friend, disciplinarian, nurturer, teacher, guide, partner, and a carer.
Definition of a Parent
If the role of a parent is so wide and diverse then truly, it would be useful to understand the definition of a parent. The literature and studies around parents and their role are exemplified in many academic writeups and analysis however, the word parent itself has a deep meaning. The word “parent” comes from a Latin verb “parere” which means to bring forth to develop or educate. This meaning itself highlights how the role of a parent is intertwined with the definition of the word itself. Parenting is defined as “purposive activity that aimed at ensuring the survival and development of children” (Laird et al., 2003). All parents enable a child to learn and develop skills, emotions, beliefs, values, thinking, language, and social sensitivity to others which children aim to use in the wider society in interactions with peers, in school and with others. In some languages the complexity and inclusivity of the word parent is captured well. For example, in Hindi language the word “Abhibhavak” is used. In its root meaning, it implies someone who feels and understands same as you. This word itself is gender neutral and covers single parents, birth parents, foster parents, mother, or father. In Sanskrit, the word “Pitraou” is used. This word is an amalgamation of Mata (mother) and Pita (Father). While interacting in the early stages of a developing child, the genetic and environmental influences impact all. Positive beneficial aspects of early nurturing and social interaction by the parents have been noted by many research studies (Ermisch et.al.2012; Boivin 2013). Adverse environmental factors like poverty, deprivation and violence can pose another level of challenge to infants and parents (Barker et.al 2008; Cote et al, 2009).
As nurturing and purposeful activities to support children keep changing with the developmental stages and ages of children it is important to recognise that that no single definition of parent is sufficient to capture the role of a parents across the world in various cultures. The core role of a nurturer and the socio-cultural aspects determine to a large extent the kind of the parenting the parents have had themselves and what they take to their own parenting. Parents bring with them their sensitivity, personality, understanding, cognition, and wisdom they may have learnt from their parents and the culture and society. This then highlights that two parents of the same age and gender across the two different parts of the world with same family structure may be living two very different “parental lives”. It is easily understood that the no single definition of a parent can capture the diversity of multiple factors however, what cannot be denied is that the core role of a nurturer, carer, guide, and a loving person is what most parents aim to be and what children want their parent to be.
In the Education Act (1996) the legal definition of the term “parent” is
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all natural (biological) parents, whether they are married or not.
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any person who, although not a natural parent, has parental responsibility for a child or young person.
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any person who, although not a natural parent, has care of a child or young person.
This legal definition of a parent extends beyond the definition of biological parent (who we share biological genes with). It places relevant focus on how the term parent is a socially constructed word. This clearly implies that with changing time, social and cultural factors, the definition of the term parent can further evolve. This definition cannot be applied to Looked after children -where court takes the responsibility of the child, foster parents and children in residential care. In foster care and residential care many different people perform the role of a parent.