Parenting and Privacy

Despite free market economies, freedom of the press, and freedom of expression, one of the most curious elements that differentiates the United States from other Western nations is our obsession with privacy. Maybe it is all of the freedoms that we have that drive people to covet their privacy. One of the most interesting elements of our society that technology is facilitating to change is how younger generations view privacy.

Digital natives eschew privacy concerns in ways that Apprehensive Technophiles can not fathom. Why would a teenager or pre-teen want to post personal stories on the web for all to see? Why would a teen or pre-teen also have conversations with others in a forum that is easily seen and criticized by his or her peers? There are many questions surrounding what teenagers and even pre-teens today present as public information in contrast to what was considered public information by their parents…

You said what?

We wait so impatiently for our children to walk and talk, and soon realize we were crazy to wish for such autonomy. As the years go on, however, there are those moments that leave you staring, marveling at this little creature, wondering how it can share your genes. Now for you mothers out there you are quite confident that the child DID come from you, and WAS a part of you: to that there is no doubt. For us dads, however, there are those moments that we wonder what was going on when you mysteriously called in sick to work those days when you really seemed fine, of why you lingered at the door after the UPS driver left.

All kidding aside, this isn’t a rant on the suspicions of infidelity. The day before New Year’s Eve I was having an innocuous moment with my youngest in the kitchen of a friend’s house. He came up and I gave him a hug, but it was an innocuous one, so I didn’t bend down to his level, just kind of stroked his hair as he gripped me around my hips…