Why Do Parents Feel They Have No Authority Over Their Own Children?

[sacha.86]

[rockyracoon]

I don't.

[Cloverjo]

Are you talking about small children or grownup children?

[RATTER15]

define "Children"

[sacha.86]

Children in general. Many parents feel they have no authority over their children and leave it to; teachers, police, doctors and community workers, who they believe do have authority over their children.

[Cloverjo]

Well it depends. You often read about people whose children are thugs, and then blame teachers, policemen etc. for not keeping them in line.
On the other hand there are parents (apparently) who go with their kids to uni interviews, tell them which jobs to apply for and generally helicopter over their whole lives.

[Maydup]

Some parents struggle to cope; some parents have really difficult children: whether that counts as many parents I'm not sure. Its hard for those parents to access support and advise and they ofetn turn to doctors, teachers and the like, in the hope that they can find a solution before its the police who are dealing with it.

Parenting is rarely taught, yet its a very challenging role and often critisised. Personnally I didn't risk it, I wouldn't be cut out for it at all.

[murraymints]

because most don't !

[chrissa1]

Good and bad behaviour is learnt. No baby is born to be bad, it grows up generally, to mirror the behaviour and ethics of its parents.

[sacha.86]

But what is it that makes them feel they have no authority?

[murraymints]

because their kids pay no heed ?

[Old_Geezer]

Possibly because to some they have no intrinsic skill at being a parent, have no idea what they should do for the best, nor, maybe, can be fussed now they realise what a hassle and load of work it is on top of everything else in their life. It's a wide open question; the actual answer may well depend on the couple you are considering.

[sevenOP]

Authority means different things to different people; as does responsibility.
As society becomes increasingly complex daily, influence of/by parents can become increasingly challenged by outside influence.