The good ol’ question on parenting

The inter-collegiate talent competition wraps up with an intense debate.

ISLAMABAD:

Do strict mothers make better teachers? Students debated this topic on the final day of the inter-collegiate talent competition at Model College for Girls (Postgraduate) F-7/4 on Friday.

Thirteen colleges from the twin cities took part in the debate competition. The girls exhibited command over the topic, citing examples from everyday life of how strictness, or lack thereof, can discipline children.

Some of the participants felt that extreme strictness can lead to retaliation from children. Others felt that a relaxed parenting philosophy can shift the power dynamic and result in children manipulating their parents, particularly their mother, for selfish and self destructive reasons.

The chief guest of the ceremony was the college’s former principal Samina Shamim.

She appreciated and congratulated the winners on their debating prowess. She also shared a quote, saying, “Teaching is the second most difficult occupation after parenting.”

She added that a mother should be able to be both friend and authority figure to her child, and that a balance of both, while hard to achieve results in the most effective parenting.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2012.