In the book, how does parenting change from one generation to the next? And what about the roles of the sexes?

How does parenting change from one generation to the next? Compare Lillian and Andy to Rosanna, and Arthur and Frank to Walter. And what about the roles of the sexes?

Obviously, more permissive, more enlightened

I got a kick out of the contrast between Lillian and Rosanna. Lillian became a parent during the same era my mother did and she adhered to a strict schedule, proscribed methods for feeding, bathing, sleeping, potty training, etc.. Very book-dictated methodical. Rosanna's approach seemed to flow naturally from her instincts, maybe from observing her own mother. Of course Arthur stood in stark contrast to Walter in how much he enjoyed interacting with children.

Lillian as a mother made me laugh. All that bit about the schedules and you can't leave the hospital. Parents have been having and raising children for millennia. Did you forget that your parents didn't do those things and you turned out OK? Mainlinebooker, I'm not sure if you're trying to say that the younger generation was both more permissive and more enlightened. Sometimes, new is just new and not necessarily better.

Daughters always think they know more than their mothers about raising children. I know I did. I don't equate permissive necessarily with enlightened. Children need boundaries and parents need common sense. The whippings that Walter gave Frank didn't really change Frank or teach him lessons. He just learned to not get caught.

I think it is also interesting to note that Rosanna had personal ideas about each of her children that her parents and in laws didn't necessarily share. Grandparents often see young people in a different light from parents. I wonder if this has changed much - I am sure I see my grandson as a remarkable person whereas his mother and father could probably share some interesting stories that I am not aware of.

Its funny how parenting trends seem to come and go from one generation to the next. My daughter is really big on keeping to a schedule and it seems to work well for her. I was a more go with the flow style parent and that worked for me. The big difference I recognized was with the fathers. Arthur and Frank were much more involved dads than Walter ever was. Walter never even changed a diaper!