What does the latest research say about economic factors on parenting strategy, the effect of screen time on sleep patterns and infectious diseases in organized sports? Take a look:
Economic factors on parenting strategy
A new study by Yale University finds that parenting styles may be influenced by economic factors.
"All parents want their children to succeed, and we argue that the economic environment influences their methods of childrearing," says Yale economist Fabrizio Zilibotti. "For instance, greater occupational mobility and lower inequality today makes an authoritarian approach less effective than generations ago. It's not that parents spare the rod because they are more concerned about their children's well-being now than they were 100 years ago. Rather, parenting strategies adapted to the modern economy."
The study found that as economic inequality increased in the United States, so did “helicopter parenting,” a commonly used form of parenting that involves intense monitoring of children, intended to “strengthen children's drive for achievement and prevent them from risky behaviors.” In contrast, when economic inequality is low, parents tend to be more permissive, because they are better able to recognize the benefits in letting their children learn from their experiences.
Screen time and sleep disruption
That screen time before bed causes sleep disruption in children and teens is well known, but a new article published by the University of Colorado Boulder explains why this is true.
Of more than five dozen studies looking at youths ages 5 to 17 from around the world, 90 percent have found that more screen time is associated with delayed bedtimes, fewer hours of sleep and poorer sleep quality, the authors report.
Light is an important factor. Because young eyes are not fully developed, they are more sensitive to the light put off by electronics than adults are. The psychological stimulation of interacting with digital electronics is another factor, whether it’s in the form of video games, television or texting with friends.
More than 75 percent of children have screens in their bedrooms and 60 percent interact with them in the hour before bedtime. A recent report from Commonsense Media shows mobile media device use has tripled among young children since 2011, with kids under 8 using them 48 minutes per day, and many parents incorporating digital media into the bedtime routine.
Infectious diseases and organized sports
Many families consider organized sports a healthy outlet for their children to get physical exercise and socialization during cold winter months. But this time of year is also the worst time for the spread of infectious diseases through sports equipment, mats and locker rooms. Fall and winter sports like football, wrestling and basketball tend to experience the most outbreaks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently published new guidelines for keeping young players healthy during their sports seasons.
"Besides showering and washing hands, athletes should be discouraged from sharing their water bottles, towels, mouth guards and other personal items," says H. Dele Davis, MD, lead author of the report and member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases. The AAP report also suggests that students should be up-to-date on their vaccinations.
To minimize risks, the APP recommends the following:
Teach student athletes proper personal hygiene, including proper laundering of uniforms and avoiding sharing of drinks or personal products, such as razors.
Develop a plan for cleaning and maintenance of sporting environment using guidelines such as those published by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Pay special attention to proper management of blood and other bodily fluids, just as hospitals have concentrated on preventing hospital-associated infections.
Routinely screen athletes during practices and before and after competition.
Erin McIntosh is a mom of four children, 15, 12, 10 and 6. She works at the Kansas City Art Institute and is also a freelance writer and photographer. She is currently working on her first book-a memoir about single parenting.