Why would any parent intentionally shirk their parental responsibilities as Will

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   bethperryposted 10 years ago

   Why would any parent intentionally shirk their parental responsibilities as Will Smith..
   
   and his wife have? Power-couple Will and Jaden Pinkett Smith have infamously admitted they don't believe in disciplining their children and allow them to make their own "decisions". Now the couple are under investigation by Child Services after a controversial photo of their 13-year old daughter lying on a bed next to a half-naked actor went viral. I always admired Will Smith before, but knowing more about his parenting style is a real shocker. Why would anyone choose to raise their kids this way? Out of laziness? Indifference? Or something else?
   
   

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   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   First, that "actor" is someone who has been hanging out with the Smith's since their kids were very small. Why is it assumed because she has her head on his knee that it is a provocative photo? If you have seen the photo it just looks like they're watching a movie. Now on to your thoughts on their parenting. He never said the kids didn't have consequences for their actions. His direct quote was "I believe that it's their lives and we are helping them with their lives. And they're not our property. They are people that are deservant of our respect and consideration in the same way that any other human being should be." It is a factual statement. Children are not property.
   With that said, they free range parent and with that comes down looks from many even though it is what kids did for hundreds of years prior to the 70's. Parents didn't follow their kids around all day before. They let their child wonder in the woods for the entire day unsupervised and unprotected from the world. Children who free range instead of being hovered over by parents have proven to be more self reliant, mature, and responsible in several studies. So it's not "lazy" parenting. It's treating a child like they have a brain and can use it on their own within reason to find their own consequences. The world did not suddenly become a much worse world than it was just a generation ago. Parents have been doing this since the world began.

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      ChristinSposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have to say I agree with this.  "helicopter" parenting is causing a generation of kids that have no idea how to take care of themselves, think critically etc. I've seen the results in family members around me and am thankful I wasn't smothered.

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   Baby-Boomer-58posted 10 years ago

   I have seen tv interviews with Will Smith and his son, and I actually think they have a remarkably good relationship based on mutual respect.
   
   You'd have to live next door to the Smith's or be part of their extended family to have any hope of convincing me they 'intentionally shirk their parental responsibilities' - because the photo you refer to gave me no indication of that ... and I doubt that any distant observer is able to make such a hurtful judgement.
   
   If they are under investigation, it will be in response to knee-jerk reactions from the media and general public. I hope you, and everyone else who points the finger at them, has started drafting an apology when the investigation clears them of any wrongdoing.
   
   I live in a climate where men go topless and women wear bikini tops even when they are doing their grocery shopping, if they choose to. Lots of selfies taken in our home would show semi-clad bodies ... and yes, I've let my kids make many of their own decisions. Does that automatically mean I am also shirking my parental responsibilities?
   
   You will apologize when they are cleared, won't you, bethperry?

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      As much of a fan as I am of Will Smith, no apologies coming. I saw the photo and if that were my 13-year old daughter, I'd have to wonder what the hell is wrong with me as a parent?

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   wmhoward4posted 10 years ago

   Hollywood is a sick and perverted place that perverts those who spend time there. Look at the case of Corey Hamm and Corey Feldman and some of the other kids who have been raped as part of the Hollywood culture. Has there been much outrage? No!! and anyone who does blow the whistle will be blacklisted. That celebrity status is money to these people.
   
   America needs to shed this idol worship of celebrities. Hollywood needs to be held accountable for what goes on in that industry.

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      fpherj48posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hollywood surely keeps the Gossip Columns humming & the tabloids flying off the shelves.  But Hollywood hardly has the market cornered on "perversions."  We ALL need to be held accountable for what goes on in our WORLD.

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   quildonposted 10 years ago

   Did they really say they don't believe in disciplining their kids? If they did, I too am shocked because there are too many kids who are not being disciplined by their parents and society suffers as a result. And guess what? The very parents who don't want to discipline their kids for fear of smothering them are the same ones who expect the teachers or a therapist to do it for them when their kids  get out of control. Would a parent allow his toddler to put his hand on a hot stove, or play with a gun because he wants him to make his own decisions? I think not.

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      quildon, here you go http://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/a … h-his-kids  And I totally agree with you.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Safety is usually the first thing taught to free range kids. They also never said they didn't discipline, just that they didn't treat them as possessions and instead HELPED them and respected them.

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      peeples, "free range" may be fine for chickens, but while children are not possessions, neither are they fowl or livestock.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I suggest you look up the differences between discipline and punishment. You don't need to beat a child or treat them poorly to discipline them. Discipline and punishment are no where near the same thing. They said they don't punish.

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Most people see punishments as part of the disciplining process. And I don't think anyone here is advocating the beating of children. If you automatically associate "beating" or "abuse" with the word "punishment", I find that very sad.

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      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Punishment and discipline have to very different meanings. My point was if you look at anything the smiths have said they are very much in favor or discipline and not punishment. But no matter what you will not see that. Have a good afternoon Beth.

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You have a good one, too, peeples.

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   fpherj48posted 10 years ago

   I did see all the publicity regarding the "photo" in question of the Smith's daughter and the male actor.  (Hollywood Hoopla)
   
   After thorough investigation & interviews of the family & friends,as well as witnesses,,,,it has been cleared up and explained for all who had some need to know what it was all about.
   The entire family was actually present in the same room when the picture was snapped (of just the male & daughter.) The male actor's female companion was there as well.
   The "inappropriateness" so many were concerned about, was not the case at all.  Oh shucks...no slimy gossip for the tabloids there.
   Will & Jada (Mom & Dad).....have been quoted as saying that they do not believe in "Micro-Managing" their children's lives in terms of their every move, decision and choice.  The "discipline" they reject is in terms of corporal punishment and/or forcible banning of their choices in age-appropriate activities.  Their comments were specific & detailed.
   Those statements were changed, taken from and added to....why?  Because what they actually said didn't make a juicy enough story and would not have gone well with the photo  (that was also misconstrued.)
   If you have always liked and respected Will Smith, don't let this Hollywood make-believe nonsense change your opinion.  It is not likely that Will and Jada are lazy nor indifferent about their kids.
   There has been a story circulating for quite some time that Will & Jada have an "open marriage."  I don't know if this has been confirmed by them or not.  What;s even more important than that is:  I DON'T CARE.
   In fact, I can't think of another issue that concerns me less than the status of Will & Jada's marriage. I am well past the age of having idols.

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      bethperryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting, and well said!

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