Today parents spend little free time with their children. Why is it the case? Who are more affected: parents or children?

Parents and children need to spend quality

time

together. Unfortunately, these days, those taking up the role of parents seem to be preoccupied with other interests and spend far less

time

with their kids than people did in the past.

This

essay will explore why

this

is, and attempt to explain the effects of

this

phenomenon.

To begin

, modern-day parents and children have access to many novel forms of technology. It is very common to see families sitting in the same room, but not mentally or physically engaging with one another.

This

may be because of the amount of

time

both

adults and young people are spending on devices

such

as smartphones and gaming consoles. Various manifestations of social media have shown to be quite addictive and,

although

in some cases can bring people closer,

also

seem to be driving them apart.

Furthermore

, people are having fewer children in general.

This

means that, overall, fewer adults are interacting with fewer children. Family sizes decrease as people become more focused on their career prospects rather than family prospects.

Next

, it is important to consider if children are more affected than the parents, or vice versa. An argument could be made that

both

segments of the population are equally affected but over different

time

frames. It could be argued that in the short-term, children will be more adversely affected as they require guidance and supervision from infancy to around 18 years of age. Without proper mentoring, young children and teenagers risk falling into a life of drug abuse and crime. Parents may

also

experience hardships

as a result

of a lack of

time

spent with their offspring. Middle-aged adults, men especially, tend to have mid-life crises once they realize that they have not lived a life

that is

following their family and career circumstances. In conclusion, parents and children need each other. Children need guidance, and parents have parental instincts to fulfil. Failing to achieve that would result in negative consequences to

both

sides. Perhaps in the future, schools will offer courses in which

both

parents and children can learn the value of having a strong family bonding.