In 2012, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 1 June as the Global Day of Parents, to be observed annually in honour of parents throughout the world. The theme of the Global Day of Parents 2022 is “Appreciate All Parents throughout the World”.
Since the 1980s, the vital role of the family has increasingly come to the attention of the international community. The General Assembly adopted several resolutions and proclaimed the International Year of the Family and the International Day of Families.
Being a parent comes with a lot of responsibilities and hard-decision making. The parents are the primary caregivers and the first teachers. On the 17th of September, the United Nations publicly declared the 1st of June the Global Day of Parents. Since then, it has been celebrated annually. This day is to honour parents and their commitments to children worldwide. A parent’s principal objective is to make their child as happy as possible, show them love, at any moment, and understand them, even in challenging situations.
Parents are the ones who will always stand by us at any given moment, whether good or bad. In modern society, there is no exact definition of a parent. A parent does not have to be a biological one necessarily. They can also be a foster parent, an adoptive parent, a step-parent, a grandparent, a legal guardian, and other relatives. But a parent is the one who will accompany you during your whole life.
A parent can be of any gender and sexual identity, but their role is the same. They are dedicated to raising happy, healthy, and fulfilled children.
Purpose of Global Day of Parents
The purpose of this day is to acknowledge the sacrifices and affection of parents towards children. Grandparents and great-grandparents are also participants of the day. We aim to respect them and show gratitude.
During this day, people who are usually too busy to disconnect from work take the opportunity to spend quality time and even a full day with their parents. They spend this day tightening the bond with them.
Role of a mother in parenting
A mother is the most caring person in our lives. She is a protector, a teacher, and a friend. She is selfless, loving, and a hard worker. The mother is almost always the first face you see when you come into the world. No matter what the child does or says, the mother will always forgive them and be patient. It is a normal maternal instinct to do all those things for a child. It comes naturally when you raise a child.
Role of a father in parenting
A father is often the pillar of a family. With the presence of a father, the child grows up with a more positive identity and higher self-esteem. He provides an excellent example for the children, and from there, they develop their traits and actions, which are usually positive. The father sets firm boundaries. The love and respect that the father has for his partner is a model for the child, and it influences how the child will treat his friends, partner, etc.
There are no perfect parents. But there are some ways and methods that a parent can use to be the best parent possible for their child. The most effective parenting style is the authoritative parenting style. The Authoritative parenting style is democratic and is considered the most effective one. The parents are demanding and responsive. They understand their children’s feelings and teach them how to channel them. They are involved in their children’s lives, help them solve problems and encourage them to be independent and forgiving. Support, love, and fair discipline are given to the children.
The features of the authoritative style are that the parents set fair and consistent discipline and allow their children to express their opinions and emotions. No order is given, and the children are allowed to discuss alternatives. The parents usually say their love and warmth. They encourage the children to develop a sense of independence and reasoning. There is mutual understanding between the parent and the child. The parents usually place limits and make the children understand the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad.
Children raised with the authoritative parenting styles become mature, autonomous, self-reliant, and respectful. Most of them thrive in society because they learn how to behave well, are independent, learn values, and respect others.
Each parent has their parenting style. But, whichever parenting style they adopt, a parent must always have their child’s best interest at heart.
YUVA is an African non-governmental organisation head-quartered in Mauritius, created to help those in need. YUVA works with families to ensure that children and young people have access to good health, are well educated, experience the love of parents and their surroundings, and are cared for, protected, and participating.
What to do during the global day of parents?
- Welcome your parents home with their favourite dish.
- Make a greetings card thanking them for their love.
- Make a gift or buy it, if you can.
- Spend the day with your family.
- Some schools often hold a special assembly where students deliver speeches about their parents and their importance.
Ingrid Roussel, YUVA Intern
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