United States: Transition Into Parenthood
 

What aids in a successful outcome to this transition?

    In the United States today, the arrival of a child is considered a very sacred and life changing event. For some, this transition can be quite unexpected or it can be precisely planned. When either circumstance arises, preparation (leading to the arrival) can help ease individuals into this newfound parental role.  It is necessary to acquire the resources offered within the community. This can help to ensure a positive developmental outcome, for all members of the newly emerging family, especially for the child's outcome. Also it is necessary to breakdown the division of labor between the caretakers, traditionally, the roles between the mother and father. This will aid in helping to control the stress level placed on one individual throughout this process of parenthood.

There are three main responsibilities that should be completed while undergoing this transition into parenthood:

    §      Attending parental education classes

    §      Acquiring the necessary medical care

    §      Dividing the division of labor
 

There are also two concerns that those going through this transition should keep in mind:

    §     There is a change in social status, and it may differ between men and women

    §     Individuals in our society are automatically thought that they will go through this 
           transition into parenthood
 

What parental education services are offered to those in this transition?

    Obtaining services and information on important issues associated with childbirth can ease the transition into parenthood. In the past couple of years, preconception counseling services have gained great recognition as a positive resource for the conception process. It is felt by Health and Human Service experts that this educational tool should be acquired within one year of the planned pregnancy.

    §    The goal of this service is to maximize the health of both the infant and 
         the mother. This also creates opportunity for both the husband and wife 
         to make positive lifestyle decisions to insure a positive outcome through 
         the pregnancy process.

    Also, attending childbirth classes can contribute to a greater likelihood of a problem-free pregnancy and healthy outcome for the baby. Prenatal education is offered in various forms, such as a formal class structure, resource books, as well as group session format (Youngkin & Davis, 1998).

    §    Many topics are covered in these resources which include: physiological 
         and psychological changes during pregnancy, nutritional needs, 
         prenatal exercise, role of father, and siblings, postpartum 
         support groups/parenting skills, infant care (Youngkin & Davis, 1998).
 

In preparation for the actual birth process, specific childbirth education classes, cover birthing methods. There are three main types of birth process classes offered:

    §   La Maze the most popular one used, teaches breathing and relaxation 
        techniques to aid in the birth. This class focuses on the active role of the 
        partner, usually the father, as a fundamental aspect of this method, 
        reiterating the importance of shared responsibilities.

   §  The Bradley Method, which can also be used, directs the focus to the 
       father (or partner) instead of the mother. The technique used is massage 
       and comfort instead of breathing. The primary goal of this method is to 
       have a completely unmedicated labor.

   §  Grantly Dick-Read, is the final most common method used. It uses 
       education and relaxation techniques to reduce fear and anxiety that may 
       be associated with the labor process (Youngkin & Davis 1998).

    Attending formal education classes are not the only factors that could help to predict a healthy outcome. In a 1998 data collection, United States Census Bureau found that about 50% or more deaths of children under one years of age had died from a pregnancy related death.  That is why it is pertinent to insure that woman obtain prenatal and postnatal care medical services to create a greater chance for infant survival and a healthy mother as well (Seltzer &Pearse, 2000).
 

Why is Division of Labor Important?

    Research done on the division of labor among new parents has often found that there is more stress put on the mothers to perform the tasks involving child-care as well as household duties. The father’s responsibility is basically felt to be providing the economic stability to the household (Walzer, 1998; LaRossa & La Rossa, 1981). With a child's arrival, the previous family structure has to make new changes in order to adapt to newly emerging parental roles. This involves changes in the division of labor. Such responsibilities include providing financial support, child-care, housework, as well as providing the necessary support between the couple. Responsibility for this new role must be taken on both parent’s part to insure that no breakdown of the family structure occurs. The importance in dividing the labor is to insure that both parents are receiving equal support from each other, creating less stress on one individual (Youngkin, & Davis,1998).
 

    §    There are a number of ways to divide the labor involved with caring for a child, and 
           taking care of previous responsibilities. These roles should be clearly apparent 
           before the arrival of the child.

    §     The couple could agree to have the father take care of the household tasks, while 
           having the mother responsible for the child-care labor. Another option would be that 
           they share the tasks equally. Also, both parents could share the financial 
           responsibility and put their child in daycare, but most new parents do not
           consider this option until later on in their child's life.
 
 

How does the status of the couple change?

    In United States society, the transition into parenthood is generally a positive one. It may however be a different experience when comparing men and women.

    §   Women have a different experience when it comes to status change. This is due to 
          the fact that their newly emerging role as a parent is directly observable, through the 
          enlarged abdomen. Strangers on the street will come up and comment on their 
          newfound status, want to touch their stomach or greet them with a “Congratulations”. 
          It is felt by some women that they become part of a new "club".

    §    Men, on the other hand, they do not get the same response as women because 
          their bodies do not physically change with the birth of a child. They still get social 
          recognition but not in the same manner. It is more of an acquaintance response than 
          stranger recognition of their newly emerging role. Men feel the same commonness
          with other people who are parents but not in the same way, like that of their female 
          counterpart, as if they were apart of a club. Rather, they feel that they gain a new 
          awareness of the experiences that other people go through with their children 
         (Walzer, 1998).
 

Why is it felt by our society that all capable individuals will want to become parents?

    Often times in research surrounding the transition to parenthood, many individuals feel that they are expected to take on the role of parenthood. They feel that it is never really questioned in our society. Instead people within our society assume that each individual will some day take on that role without considering the possibility that some may not want to become a parent.

    §    In a publication by Lydia N. O’Donnell she stated, “…to become a parent is still to 
          follow social conventions: expectations of motherhood are usually born out in 
          reality…being a mother still has many attractions; it continues to occupy large 
          proportions of the fantasy lives of young girls”(O’Donnell,1985).

    §    Making reference to why people want to have children, one reason is to fulfill a role 
          in society and to validate social status. Another reason is to fulfill societal 
          expectations (Demick, Bursik, and Dibiase, 1993).