Do Parents Know Where Their Kids Are?

I found a commentary from The Christian Science Monitor written by Marilyn Gardner titled, "Most Parenets Do Know Where Their Kids Are." In her commentary, Gardner argues that "American parents are more involved in their children's lives than they were 10 years ago." Gardner states that the US Census Bureau reports that parents are "reading to their children more often, eating more meals together, and monitoring their children's TV viewing." According to Gardner and her findings, parents are more protective of their children and their protection starts early. Parents are using mini-license plates that they attach to their baby's stroller in order to monitor the nanny when they are not home. Other than nannycams, Gardner mentions that parents use GPS monitoring, instant messaging, and cellphones to keep track of their kids. Some parents, such as David Eigen, have access to a website that allows them to keep track of their kids with GPS monitoring. Eigen explains, "I've never done it, but they know I have it." Many parents however, see GPS monitoring too extreme. Gardner goes on to explain the importance of being an involved parent. Columbia University's Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse says that almost "1 in 5 American teens say they live with 'hands off' adults" which puts "these teenagers at a four-times greater risk for smoking, drinking, and illegal drug use." On the other hand, Gardner found a study from Britain that shows that "some parents need to be slightly more hands-off when it comes to children's performance at school and elsewhere." So, in the end it seems that parental involvement and protectiveness has to find its balance.