The Role of Mothers in Shaping Family Traditions and Values in Children

Ali Gunes

The University of New York Tirana

aligunes@unyt.edu.al

 

A couple of days ago, I argued with a colleague concerning the changing role of mothers in contemporary consumerist society, where both husband and mother must work to sustain their livelihood. The capitalist economic system forces them to behave this way because it creates a perception that men and women must work and consume what they earn. This is how our identities and worldviews are unknowingly constructed through various propaganda channels, such as advertisements, television, social media, etc. My colleague claimed that nursery and, today, preschool replace the mother's role in raising children. When I asked him that it is not a matter of bringing children up physically, but children also have emotional and spiritual sides, which should be nurtured; society has its values and norms, which should also be transferred to the next generation for the sake of the sustainability of society and culture. I said to him that nursery and preschool would not be able to replace a mother’s role in not only bringing up a child but also adequately nurturing emotional and spiritual sides, as well as in transferring moral and cultural values to the following generation that every society cherishes. He accused me of “being a traditionalist or, to some extent, backward in my way of thinking because, he said, “who cares for tradition, moral and cultural values today? Time has changed a lot; what you claim is relative, and no one is interested in your argument. People pay attention to other aspects of life.”

What are “other aspects of life?”

I do not know. Please let me know if you know what they are.

But my argument is utterly different in that I argue that nothing can substitute the role of mothers in shaping family traditions and values in children.

No one can deny that family is an individual’s first and most effective learning environment. Children learn values, traditions and behaviour patterns through their families. The role of mothers in this learning process is a determining factor in the child’s personal, moral, spiritual and social development.

A mother is undeniably an essential role model for a child.

A mother is a person with whom the child establishes the first and closest relationship. Thus, the mother's behaviour, attitudes, and love are vital in shaping the child’s values and behaviour. Mothers become role models for their children and set an example by displaying the desired behaviours for them. For instance, children who see values such as honesty, empathy, love, and patience from their mothers grow up by adopting these values.

Mothers are essential to pass on family traditions and values to their children. Mothers teach children their family's values and traditions through rituals such as family mealtimes and celebrations of holidays and special occasions. These interactions strengthen children's sense of belonging and strengthen family ties.

While raising their children, mothers pass on vital information about life values and traditions to their children. In education and guidance, mothers teach children the difference between right and wrong, encourage positive behaviour, and guide them to correct wrong behaviour. This process allows the child to adapt to social norms and develop a sense of responsibility.

Mothers contribute significantly to the emotional development of their children with their warm and supportive relationships. Empathy, love, understanding and sensitivity are essential to mothers’ communication with their children. In this way, mothers develop their children’s emotional intelligence by helping them understand and express their emotions.

Mothers encourage their children to trust and make their own decisions. By supporting and encouraging them, they help children develop their self-confidence. They also teach children the skills to gain independence and guide them to take on their responsibilities.

In conclusion, the role of mothers in shaping children's family traditions and values is of immense importance at a time when mothers' values are degraded, devalued, and degenerated. The mother-child relationship is a determining factor in the child's personal, emotional, spiritual and social development, and mothers help their children thrive and integrate into society by passing on their values, traditions and life knowledge. Hence, mothers must fulfil their parenting role effectively and be a positive model for their children.