Is it fair to criticise other peoples parenting?

Question

After all, when we go abroad we see children out begging, without shoes etc.

Would your house meet the standards of say, Victoria Beckham? She wouldn't think my house was nice enough for her ~ but I'd be outraged if she questioned my parenting.

Should we make allowances for different lifestyle choices?

Answer 1

if u were to make allowances for different lifestyles would that make the alternative way of parenting right? i see many parents everyday in the street smoking in front of their kids,swearing at the kids...its just not right and although this will sound harsh some people maybe shouldnt be parents.

Answer 2

the trouble with many humans is that 1 they think their way is the only way, and 2 theyre incapable of judging themselves as harshly as they judge others

Should we make allowances for different lifestyle choices?

of course.  life would be incredibly dull if we all chose to work in accounts and spend our weekends at manchester airport with binoculars and drab ham sandwiches

Answer 3

Are you really suggesting that a nice house makes a good parent? I couldn't care less if my home isn't up to scratch for some people wealthier than me but you would never find a more loving and attentive mother.

Answer 4

the last thing any1 should do is worry what stick insect s**t thinks about their house !!!!! no,criticising others parenting is wrong,unless u have walked in their shoes,u have no idea the issues some1 is dealing with.unless,of course,the child is being beaten,mistreated and/or neglected.most people do the best they can.dont take it to heart if some1 has criticised u----especially if its victoria beckham!(she looks angry all the time.she's probably hungry!!!!)

Answer 5

Not only is it fair, it is also rather fun

Answer 6

No, but one can only advice other parents to help them...

Answer 7

A lot of people are very lucky,being raised  up  in the uk and other developed countries, parents bring there children up to what they think are good standards.

Unfortunatly,is some countries people do not have the same upbringing because they have not been educated,or had the same opertunites as us, this is the way the world is,the African states, and others, should get a plan,so that others can have an equal chance in life.

Answer 8

If the child has been harmed physically or pshychologically through neglect or the child harms another child, then, yes it is fair to criticize the parents.

Answer 9

I'm sorry, are you suggesting we all strive to be like victoria beckham, with her terrible body image problem? I bet her "parenting" skill would be different if she was broke and married to a fat slob.

Answer 10

Yes. They don't live in a vaccuum. Today's children are getting worse from the severe lack of parenting that is all to pervasive these days. I know a few teachers that left because the kids were too difficult and add in the bureaucratic b.s. that is thrown in, it becomes not worth it for some teachers. It's an environment that is too abusive and emotionally challenging.

Answer 11

As long as children are cared for, clean, fed, not neglected or abused, brought up to have good morals and decency, then we can't really criticise people just because they have a small house or no car.

If children are lacking any of the above, and it's due to the parenting, then yes, it's fair to criticise.  

Answer 12

I put my children first...myself second...and those that want to criticise that...on the floor!

Answer 13

I think its quite clear that the law in the UK does not approve of parents leaving their children under the age of 14(?) unsupervised.

A lot of interpretation is given to this but at the end of the day if harm comes to the children as a result of leaving them alone you can expect to take some of the blame.

Answer 14

No there's no definitive way to parent.Different children require different parenting.In any one family you can one angel,one wee monster and each would require guiding in a way best suited to them.

Could I just correct you there Michael.Neither's parents were poor.Gerry's parents owned a pub in St. Johnstone in Donegal,still do,which they lease out.His mother was born to hard working,working class people not far from the town I live in.Not poor,not rich and either way it shouldn't matter.It's hard to fathom the hatred that comes purely from the jealousy side of the argument.Like you I think they made a grave error of judgement,were  never willfull and are being cruely vilified.

Answer 15

Love is all a child needs. Love hasn't got a price tag.

Naturally we will observe and judge others by our own standards, but it isn't right to do that. We are all guilty of it. Regardless of Financial Viability.

Answer 16

So many people here critise Kate and Gerry because they have money and live in a nice house. Few people know their background, Both were born in the slums of Glasgow with poor parents. Its only due to their hard work and studying that that have got where they are today.

Answer 17

Yes. Having a child is not necessarily synonymous with good parenting and criticising a parent's shortcomings is not only justified, but essential in some cases.

Answer 18

Oh sure. Casey Anthony is just "misunderstood". Yeah right. If you kill your kid, I think your parenting should be questioned.