rescue", "asset" of "investment". Hence, a childless couple runs the risk of not being happy
and not being well buried. It is logically fragile people (women, the elderly, rural dwellers)
who insist the most on this aspect. Men are sticking mostly to the second idea of "continuity"
or respite because they are assured that their children will continue to bear the name and
recall their memory.
However, some aspects are overshadowed when we leave the sayings for the perceptions that
adults have of the child. The idea of "succession and continuity of generations" were clearly
ahead with 45.4% of the opinions expressed. The utilitarian aspect ("future assistance" or
“rescue ") came bottom of the list with 11.3%, far behind the moral values of “wealth, to be
valuable” which record 23.7%. However, this " precious person" "own blood", this dearest
person can become an offender when he/she is not well supported. So that a "limitation" of a
totally positive image of the child should remind parents (who know themselves) that they
will become what parents want them to be, although many may become "offender". Hence
parents recognise the heavy childrearing responsibility that they bear and the status of "
fragile being or plant to grow" of the little ones.
If for the society the child is essentially "the future, the continuity and succession", for the
parents themselves, the social value of the child, through the "pleasure, happiness and pride"
that his/her coming into the family provides, has become predominant. This is followed
closely by the reaffirmation of "future rescue" or "old-age pension and death insurance."
Moreover, the child's evocation as "wealth or treasure in itself," "source of happiness" is
enough to show the emotion surrounding this issue. The utilitarian aspects are certainly
present but in addition to the function of "relief" the child provides intense happiness
experienced by parents who speak of "my blood", "my mirror," "my joy."
The emotional investment provides a pride recognised by the community and the family who
are eager to show their sympathy. At the end of this journey, in the adults’ minds, the child
life and death insurance, also appears as a source of happiness and pride for parents and
guarantee of community sustainability.
The overall picture is positive for the child, because of his/her place in the heart of parents, in
pride socially recognised, and because of his/her central role in community sustainability has
acquired a unique status and important and. One might venture to conclude that a home, a
family and a society without children are doomed to a certain death. "The child is the
society's lung", as some parents say. But in exchange, there are duties and rights to be
observed by the children and parents.
Children must expressed "obedience and submission" without discussion, pending severe
penalties. This requirement records 68.5% of the opinions expressed. It must be complied
with. Some parents even give it a divine character, "as the Bible says." In addition to absolute
submission, the child must help parents in all circumstances "render services in all areas."
Parents also expect love from their children and listening. The latter joined the point of
obedience and submission. It is feared that these requirements of power of divine rights could
become tyranny or multiplication of opportunities for tensions and even conflict.
Authoritarian tendencies are possible, certainly common. We must avoid them by training
parents in terms of dialogue and good communication.
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