Parenthood by Proxy

Don't Have Them If You Won't Raise Them

De: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Narrado por: Barbara Caruso

Following her previous New York Times best sellers, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the conscience of talk radio, now addresses an issue near and dear to her heart: the stupid things parents do to mess up their children. Never one to shy away from tough truths, Dr. Laura marshals compelling evidence for the widespread neglect of America's children and convincingly condemns the numerous rationalizations to excuse it. These are just a few of her hard-hitting points:

• Don't have them if you won't raise them: "The cavalier manner in which our society treats child care, not as a matter of intimacy and love but as a matter of convenience and economics, is deeply destructive to our children's sense of attachment, identity, and importance."
• Dads need not apply: "Single motherhood may be more acceptable to society, but it is not acceptable to children, nor is it in their best interest."
• Brave new baby: "In our society reproductive freedom means anyone can decide to create a life by any means with no, and I mean no, consideration of what is in the best interest of that new human being."
• Spare the rod: "Children without discipline often become adults with temper tantrums, defiance, rage, depression, anxiety, poor school and work adjustment, and drug and alcohol abuse."

Parenthood by Proxy covers all aspects of parenting and tackles such cultural and societal concerns as abortion, modern sexuality, drug and alcohol use, violence, discipline, and a child's right to privacy.

©2000 Dr. Laura C. Schlessinger (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLC

Future mothers and fathers would benefit from this book.

The book is mostly a rebuttal to the anti-parenting, pro duo working parents, pro daycare, sexualization of children and debauchery propaganda to the same from the 1990s media. She's direct, to the point and doesn't sugar coat.
She also gives - what seems to me - like good advice to parents by pointing out the pros and cons of different "parenting" styles.
If you want a delinquent or disrespectful kid, give him/her everything they ask and require no effort from them.
If you want a respectful, capable and giving child, put boundaries in place, demand that they give back to the home (not in a tyranical or abusive way), and correct them when they do wrong. Be not afraid.

Give it a listen. The narrator does a fantastic job too.

Made it to Chapter 2

Would return if possible. Author attempts to transpose her personal life experience to everyone, empirically stating her path and perspective are the only way to live a successful life.