Essay On Atticus Parenting

Many people see Atticus’ teachings or method for upbringing as being ‘wrong’, nonetheless little do they know what the outcomes the kids are having. Having people like Atticus and Calpurnia quite involved in their lives, even people like Aunt Alexandra help to build a sense of morality. These morals are built around who and what they are exposed to, and as Jem and Scout grow up, they seem to learn more about the world and about how people aren’t always as good as they thought that they were. However they also realise that most people are good. This is what they learn to realise not everything is as it seems or made out to be. A classic example is Boo Radley. To the kids, he was made out to be a terrible person, when ironically he was the one that saved them from evil. Arguably this wouldn’t have been possible or have happened if Atticus hadn’t given the kids as much freedom as they had, and then the kids would have still been numb to the idea of questioning things and would have just taken someone’s word for

Atticus Finch displayed a notably unusual parenting style throughout the book. Atticus speaks to his children in a completely open manner, not sugarcoating anything, essentially conversing with them as honestly as he would with a fellow adult. Atticus' behavior towards his kids demonstrates the respect he feels towards them. He seems to think that they are mature enough to handle topics most people don't think are suitable for children. Not only is he open and honest with Jem and Scout, he even makes compromises and promises between them and himself, whereas other parents would have a mentality consisting more of "I have the final say in the

In addition to Jem, Atticus has also punished Scout. Readers see this, when

Atticus Finch is a model father created by Harper Lee in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird. He is an important figure in the Maycomb, Alabama Community. He raises his children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) with wide sets of morals, disciplines them, and is a true role model. Atticus allows his children to be individuals and does not try to change who they are. He teaches them fairness and equality among many different types of people in Maycomb. He is always teaching his children about how their actions may affect others, then, as a result, devices punishments to teach Scout and Jem valued life lessons. In many situations, Atticus can chastise his children, but he allows them mature and notice their own mistakes

He believed in giving his children freedom to walk around town and talk to whomever they wanted to without his supervision. Because of this, they were able to learn from experience rather than just school alone. This also showed that Atticus treated his children as equals rather than just taking the role of the hierarchy. Another thing he did that allowed Jem and Scout to be treated as equals was allow them to call him by his first name which was very uncommon. Atticus never beat or hit is children even though it was legal and a regular thing for parents to do back then, Atticus instead resorted to alternative, non-violent, punishments when his kids misbehaved such as making Jem read to Mrs Dubois after Jem wrecked her flowers.

Being careless makes Atticus an ineffective parent because he is not there to guide his children through situations. When Jem had heard about people telling him that his dad was lawing for a n*****, he went on a rampage; “We had just come to her gate when Jem snatched my baton and ran flailing wildly up the steps into Mrs. Dubose’s front yard, forgetting everything Atticus had said.” (137). It is important for the children to have Atticus consistantly watching them because he keeps their emotions in order. Jem and Scout are unable to conduct themselves properly without someone telling them to what is right and what is wrong.

He lets them run around play, but won't stand for nonsense or bad behavior. Not only does Mr. Finch discipline his children, but he also shows his children that all people are to be given a chance and are made equally. When the talk of the town is on him for defending Tom Robinson, Atticus says to his children "Of course I defend niggers" (p.99) He says this like it was a normal thing to do in this time period, even though it wasn't, because he wants his kids to respect him and see how he views the people in his community. Scout then asks her father "Are you a nigger lover?"

He then holds them responsible for what they do and say. Although his ways are different than the societal standards, Atticus’s involvement with his children is effective for discipline. He does not always discipline them in the same manner, but does so in ways fitting to the circumstances. Atticus chooses particular words to express exactly what his children need to hear in order to mend their ways. Often, he simply expresses his disappointment. Sometimes, he uses firm reprimanding. Once, we see Atticus use his keen intellect, employing what Scout calls “the oldest lawyer’s trick on record” (50) so that Jem admits to “putting [Mr. Radley’s] life’s history on display for the edification of the neighborhood” (49), as Atticus describes it. Scout’s father teaches by example countless times when he reminds her that “it ain’t time to worry yet” (70), even when a fire threatens to sweep away all of their belongings. In addition to his honest discussions with Scout and Jem, Atticus gives them many profound lessons through his intentional interactions with others.

As Walt Disney once said, “Most things are good, and they are the strongest things; but there are evil things too, and you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality. The important thing is to teach a child that good can always triumph over evil” (Disney.) Disney is trying to express that honest and pure parenting sets children up for success, whether it be teaching them about the world or loving them unconditionally. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus educates his children, Jem and Scout, about their curiosities on the mysterious world they live in, while also teaching them what it takes to be a good person. Atticus’ style of parenting and love for his children makes them more knowledgeable, responsible, and disciplined, and loyal.

“To Kill a Mockingbird”, an acclaimed novel by Harper Lee, is recognized throughout the world. The novel follows a lawyer and his children prior to and during a legal case to defend a black male. That lawyers name is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is not just an ordinary father. He teaches his children things no parent of the 1930s, or even the modern time period, would think of doing. His style parenting, compared to modern day parenting and parenting in the 1930s, is unique and is not traditionally the way a parent wants to raise their child.

Atticus is a great parent. He does many things that make him a great parent such as, being respectful, giving great advice, and he is very caring. To begin with, Atticus does not expect the respect of his children but earns it, this is shown many times, but the best example is when he tells Scout “We’ll go on reading as we always have.” (pg.41) he is showing he respects Scout because he believes she is smart enough to read and agrees more with Scout than her teacher. Secondly, he gives them great advice, when Scout is upset about her teacher telling her not to read, Atticus tells her that she will get along with people better if she can climb into their skin and walk around in it. He makes her understand what is happening in her life and resolves her issue. Lastly, Atticus is very caring.

Atticus teaches scout and Jem self respect by setting examples for them. When Atticus decides to take the Tom Robinson case he teaches his kids self respect. After asked why he took the case he said that Atticus has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is a case he cannot hope to win, but he tells Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect. He also shows scout and jem self respect by not showing off his God given gift. He taught Jem and Scout to have thick skin. He made sure to have them not allow someone to get under their skin. An example of a moment where Jem or Scout have to have a lot of patience for someone is when was throwing around the N word, tho she retaliated she didn't pay it that much attention. Another example is again when Atticus took the Tom Robinson case.

Atticus and his children both had to deal with the adversity against them because of the communities differences in opinion. They kept their integrity through it all with Jem and scout having their father’s moral advice and support to help them. Though many succumb to the pressures put on us, there are also many Atticus’s out there that have a moral and ethical conscience backing them up. They become a role model that breeds integrity through their moral practices. “Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” (Lee, pg.108)

Mrs. Alexandra, from my understanding, a good parent is one who creates a safe nurturing environment for a child to grow up in, displays characteristics of a positive role model, and is an active part of a child’s life. (Atticus, look at Scout and Jem affectionately ) Good parents provide moral guidance, sets limitations, and implements consequences for a child’s behavior. (Atticus, use a ruler and slap it in your hand looking at Scout and Jem symbolizing a Spanking as punishment) Atticus is a very effective parent to Scout and Jem. I know he is constantly working; but rest assured, his children are his primary concern and he loves them very much. (Atticus, hug Scout and Jem or do something showing your love <3) Atticus finds time for his

The relationship between Atticus and his children is of an unusual sort for the 1930s because he not only engages with them, which was unusual alone, but he shows love and affection, too. He does the parental duties that you would more expect from the twenty-first century rather than the 1930s which was a time when black maids would bring up your children. Fathers rarely interacted with their children as their role was only to provide for the family. However, Scout says that he “played” with them and “read” to them. He comforted her when she was distressed as she “crawled into his lap,” and he “rocked” her gently. They are fond of each other and seem to enjoy each other’s company. He also treats them with “courteous detachment,” which tells the reader that Atticus respects his children and that he has a balance of work/home life. He is also interested in his