Addresses Quote by Kenneth Keniston
“Parents still have primary responsibility for raising children, but they must have the power to do so in ways consistent with their children's needs and their own values… We must address ourselves less to the criticism and reform of parents themselves than to the criticism and reform of the institutions that sap their self-esteem and power.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Family: A Social History of the American Family, 2000
Parents should raise children in ways that respect both the child's needs and parental values, while societal institutions that undermine parental confidence must be reformed.
In simple terms: Raise kids respecting needs and values; fix institutions that weaken parents.
Key Takeaway
Support parents, reform harmful institutions.
Themes
parenting
family dynamics
social critique
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advice
social commentary
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- policy advocacy
- community support
- education programs
Key Concepts
self-esteem
institutional power
values alignment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions better support parental authority?
- What values should guide modern parenting?
A Different Perspective
Parents may still face systemic barriers despite personal effort.
![“Trial by jury is a privilege of the highest and most beneficial nature [and] our most important guardian both of public and private liberty. The liberties of England cannot but subsist so long as this palladium remains sacred and inviolate, not only from all open attacks, ... but also from all…” quote by William Blackstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f63/william-blackstone-14453_beneficial_trial-by-jury-is-a-privilege-of-the-high_211262.jpg)
![“[T]he appropriate form of address between man and man ought to be, not monsieur, sir, but fellow sufferer, compagnon de miseres.” quote by Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be6/arthur-schopenhauer-226_addresses_t-he-appropriate-form-of-address-between_32897.jpg)
