Read Epstein’s list on page 49 in his article, “What Makes a Good Parent?”, and identify how each parent from The Glass Castle individually rates on this list. Pick at least two of their strongest points and at least two of their weakest points and explain why you assessed them the way you did. Be specific and defend your assessments and don’t forget to assess the parents individually because they were two different parents with their own methods of parenting.
In the article "What Makes a Good Parent" by Robert Epstein, is a list of 10 skills and factors that are contributions in being a good parent. Below is the list from Epstein's article:
Although this list expresses a survey taken by American parents within the past 50 years, Rose Mary and Rex Walls definitely had their own ways in parenting. In my opinion, the Walls parents' list would look completely different.
Rose Mary Walls: I feel that Rose Mary encouraged autonomy and independence above all because throughout The Glass Castle, she never helped her children with anything and told them to do whatever they wanted without rules or guidelines. Rose Mary also encouraged that the kids to learn and even home schooled them with Rex. Rose Mary taught the children English and the arts. In addition, I felt that life skills and safety were the weakest points of her parenting skills because she never enforced any rules and allowed them to do anything they wanted. Also, during their time in Welch, Jeannette was touched inappropriately by her uncle, but Rose Mary had brushed it off with little to no concern. Towards the end of the memoir, Jeannette also finds out that Rose Mary had property in Texas equivalent $1 million. If Rose Mary had sold the property she would have been able to provide for her children, rather than having them go through the things they did.
01. Autonomy and Independence.
02. Education and Learning.
03. Religion.
04. Love and Affection.
05. Behavior Management.
06. Stress Management.
07. Relationship Skills.
08. Health.
09. Life Skills.
10. Safety.
Rex Walls: I felt that Rex also encouraged autonomy and independence, along with education and learning the most. He taught his children the necessary skills to survive, such as shooting a gun or navigating with the north star, and strongly felt that his children needed a good education. When Jeannette told her father she might have to drop out of college because of insufficient funds, Rex told her she had to finish school and provided the last of her tuition. Rex's weakest points would be safety and religion. Rose Mary wanted her children baptized and attended church from time to time, but Rex was completely against religion and would argue with the sermon leaders, usually drunk. Also, Rex did not care for safety. Throughout the story, the Walls children did whatever they wanted and usually, on their own. Jeannette had gotten into a couple fights and went home with injuries, but told her to be strong rather than tend to her wounds. Rex was also drunk the majority of the time, and put Jeannette in uncomfortable positions with men to make money off of pool
games.
01. Autonomy and Independence.
02. Education and Learning.
03. Love and Affection.
04. Behavior Management.
05. Relationship Skills.
06. Life Skills.
07. Stress Management.
08. Health.
09. Safety.
10. Religion.
Can you explain why you categorized religion as #3 for Rose Mary?
ReplyDeleteI felt that Rose Mary tried to have as minimal interactions with her children, but when it came down to religion, she place some efforts. I categorized religion as #3 due to the fact that she made a big deal about having her children baptized at birth to Rex, and had dragged her family with her to church on Christmas Eve.
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