Dispensation Of Power In Family Life

This is not an original write-up, it is a discussion based on an article though i know not the writer of the article.

The family is made up of Father,Mother and Children and over time the balance of power shifts with the changing dynamics of the family.
There are basically three(3) dispensations of power within the family and this is shared among the three arms of the family thus:

FIRST DISPENSATION: At the inception of the family, power belongs with the father. This is because he is often the bread winner of the family, the provider and the ultimate decision maker. He is the one everyone goes to for anything. During this dispensation of power, the children tend to fear the father and do everything he says without question. This dispensation holds until the children reach teen age then the dispensation of power shifts to the mother.

SECOND DISPENSATION: Once the children hit teen age,rebellion tends to set in. Due to the fact that the father was always busy working to raise money to provide food, shelter, pay school fees etc, he's rarely around so the children develop an affinity with the mother. They grow to love her more, to respect her more, even to fear her more. She often times becomes their confidant and she knows things about the children that the father doesn't. Everything the children need, they go to the mother.

THIRD DISPENSATION: Finally, power shifts to the children when they begin to work and are able to provide for themselves and their family. During this dispensation, the mother is more likely to gain more from the children while the father is often ignored. It is the mother who always gets an allowance, always goes to take care of grandchildren when the children give birth, always gets gifts - wrappers, jewelries,etc.

All three dispensation of power are unavoidable in family life, however, the way the other dispensation would turn out depends largely on the dispensation before it. This is why parents should be careful in their handling of children in the family.
During their dispensation, fathers should try to create time to sit with their children, get to know them, form a close relationship with them. In the same way, mothers during their dispensation should treat the children well,listen to them,be there for them.
That way, when power shifts to the children they will in turn treat their parents well and not neglect either of them.

Remember that it is these children who would end up as parents tomorrow and the cycle begins again.

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