Trends of Modern Parental Methods

This image depicts a common sight seen in many modern families today — the lack of verbal communication due to technology.

On first look, my attention was being brought to the right where the mother is seen to be overly engaged in her phone that she poured tea on her husband’s meal. This illustrates that technology has become very much a part of our lives these days, so much so that even parents are perpetually connected to their mobile devices, neglecting their normative roles. Which then influences their children: occupying themselves with their electronic devices as well, oblivious to their surroundings.

The Shared Experience Model in which viewers decode and make mental comparisons to their lives based on shared experiences is utilised to persuade viewers on a more personal level. In addition, the usage of words in image questions viewers and aids in the long-term recall of images.

As part of the generation who grew up with technology, I have encountered this issue myself countless times during a family meal. Often feeling neglected, I feel strongly for the importance to raise awareness to parents that this undesirable trend may be happening to them and if necessary, suggest a need to reflect upon their actions.

In a time where materialism is so prevalent, parents often use materialism as a form of love and substitution for quality time with their children at a young age. ‘Good’ parents are also those who never say “No” to their children’s unrealistic or unnecessary wants.

Geometrical perspective of the image immediately sets out a hierarchical fashion between the girl and the subjects below — girl sitting in an authoritative position being more domineering than her presumably parents with their heads bowed down. The distinct difference in size also depicts how kids are becoming figurative and literally “bigger” than their parents.

Following the girl’s eye line, our attention is directed to the parents who are presenting the ‘princess’ with her wants. Moreover, the presentation of the bird from a cat can be seen as a metonymic code that certain wants of children these days are considered unrealistic or ridiculous.

This image utilises pathos to persuade the audience through feelings of ridicule: despite getting all her wants, the girl is still not satisfied from the unhappy look on her face.

It is thus necessary to raise awareness to parents that this overindulgence not only cause their children to misunderstand the real meaning of love, they become overly pampered and demanding.