Parenthood by Proxy

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

De: Dr. Laura Schlessinger

Narrado por: Barbara Caruso

Parenthood by Proxy is a passionate and provocative summation of the perils of parenting and a road map to safety for America's families.

Never one to shy away from tough truths, Dr. Laura marshals compelling evidence for the widespread neglect of America's children and condemns the numerous rationalizations to excuse it. Parents, special interest groups, and professionals in education and psychology all contribute to a dangerous trend that places adult fulfillment above obligation to children. Parenthood by Proxy addresses the causes and effects of this national crisis, among them the high rate of divorce, serial marriages, single parenting, the premature sexualization of children, dual-career families, disdain for religion, the redefinition of immoral behavior as lifestyle choices, and societal intolerance for the concept of judgment.

In Parenthood by Proxy, Dr. Laura exhorts parents to make their own children their top priority and, if necessary, to change their lives to do so. In her straight-shooting style, Dr. Laura entreats parents to involve themselves in their children's hearts, minds, and souls, to cherish and protect them, and to commit to the essential task of teaching them right from wrong. She acknowledges that parents no longer get much support from neighbors or public and private institutions, but she urges mothers and fathers to work even harder to counteract the prevailing culture of selfishness and irresponsibility.

Parenthood by Proxy covers all aspects of parenting, from childbearing to discipline, from multiple families to being role models.

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.