Privacy could mean different things to different people. For me, privacy is a new term used by Gen Z and also strange to some extent to people like us that grew up in a one room apartment. To me, privacy means going out of the room when our parents or elders want to dress. And also, it could mean that when our parents have visitors, we are to stay away or when allowed to stay, throughout the discussions that would be held, we are to be ordinary observers.
In our world today, the term privacy means a lot and is perceived to be a right as entrenched in the United Nations Charter. My children are ringing it in my ears and I have to begin to observe and also respect it by giving them their privacy but with close supervision.
To you, privacy could be perceived from another angle especially from your first hand experience while growing up. With modernization and civilization, those of us who grew up where we least experienced privacy are not getting married or working with people who have enjoyed privacy. In all, the world keeps going round.
As a teacher, Daniel and Mike were seatmates in my class. They both had different personalities. That's not strange as we all have character traits as individuals. One sparkling attraction for me towards Daniel was that he was well behaved, comported and civil. Mike on the other hand was a direct opposite of Daniel.
As a teacher, I tried my best to know my students closely. It was in the bid of this that I beckoned on Mike and asked him some personal questions. I wanted to know how the home front had been for him. My findings were shocking. Mike is from a good home. His parents were rich and had an eye for business, as such, they were not always at home. Hence, Mike has so much time to himself but without parental supervision.
Daniel on the other hand has a different experience altogether. His parents are business people and are always busy but have enough time to check his daily activities.
In both cases, the children have their privacy and have enough time to foster personal growth and development but only one of them has really yielded the expected results from the privacy that they have obtained.
Privacy gives the children a lot of independence which allows them to grow at their own pace and gives them the autonomy that they need to reach their personal growth. Privacy is a right that everyone must have. Privacy as a matter of fact helps to create individuals who can be self-reliant and self-dependent. And the autonomy that comes as a result, gives the individual a better shaped mind to make decisions that will affect their lives positively or otherwise, hence, the need for supervision.
Parents must give their children privacy to build trust. Studies have shown that children who are given privacy are respectful and also know their boundaries. For instance, children who are given privacy in their homes respectfully understand the boundaries of other people. They know how to seek audience and interaction during a discussion. To really promote parent-child relationship, parents should accord their wards privacy and trust that they would utilize the opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.
Every child has a spectacular personality. When given their privacy, children can express themselves in their own way, whether through keeping a diary or decorating their space to soothe their personalities. When children are given some privacy it gives them the understanding they also would reciprocate the venture in the future both in marriage, career and all of that.
Possible Errors In Children's Privacy
There are possible disadvantages that may arise when we do not do the needful as parents while respecting our children's privacy.
Giving children too much privacy without supervision can be dangerous as it leaves them vulnerable to potentially dangerous situations, such as internet predators and risky behaviour. Supervision is highly needed when we are giving our children privacy.
When privacy becomes excessive, it could lead to barriers between parents and children, making it difficult to address important issues.
While giving children their most anticipated privacy, without proper guidance, children may struggle to make informed decisions or learn important life skills.
To some extent, privacy can.lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation, especially if children are not encouraged to engage with others or seek help when needed.