LCMC's Solution to Modern Parenting
By Ms. Teresia Muia
On July 18, 2024, the Loyola Centre for Media and Communication (LCMC) launched its child identity formation program with an engaging online training session. The event saw participation from teen mentors and a group of religious figures, all focused on addressing the complexities of modern parenting.
The session featured an open discussion on the challenges faced by parents today. Participants highlighted how modernization, technological advancements, and the shift from communal to individualized parenting have compounded the challenges of raising children. The tough economic climate in the country further worsens these issues.
During the discussion, there was a consensus on the need for parents to take full responsibility for their children’s upbringing. The participants emphasized the importance of parents being closer to their children, creating time to engage in open conversations. They stressed that this approach helps children feel loved and respected, fostering a sense of mutual respect that children can carry into their interactions with others. As one participant noted, “Parents need to be connected to their children so that they can tell when they have a problem without them sharing.”
The session also underscored the necessity for parents to monitor and regulate social media use, both for themselves and their children. Excessive use of social media can take away quality family time and expose teenagers to negative influences. The participants acknowledged that millennial parents often fall into the same social media trap, leaving little time for meaningful interactions with their children.
A significant takeaway from the discussion was the need for parents to provide both spiritual and parental guidance. They should correct teenagers kindly and involve them in decision-making processes rather than imposing decisions on them. One participant clearly stated, “It is prudent for someone to explain to them if you do this, these are the benefits, and if you don’t, these are the repercussions.”
This session is the first of seven that LCMC plans to offer as part of their mission to empower young people to build resilience in the digital age. The program aims to equip teen mentors with the knowledge and skills needed to support effective child identity formation amid contemporary challenges.
