Question

To what extent has the child's role evolved in today's family structure?

Answer 1

Modernity has changed the role of the child in the family structure.

In earlier days, a child was an investment for the family. Children were there to take care of their parents in their old age. Boys were supposed to fight and bring money home, girls were expected to help in the household and to marry well later in life. The family structure depended on them for survival and that's why families used to have many children, There was also a strong sense of honoring and obedience towards one's parents. They were seen an the absolute authority and disobedience was frown upon and even punished.

Nowadays, our culture has removed the most functional demands kids have to the family. The children are still seen as an investment but in a way that elevates the parents' prestige and not in the materialistic sense. Parents provide education for their kids so that the kids can get a good job, take care of themselves and live independently as adults. In many families, parents do not expect their children to look after them in old age. Children today have far more rights and fewer obligations as before, as their  upbringing is centered on providing for their needs first. Therefore, many children today feel entitled to play a leading role in the family, demanding  full attention of their parents. Disobedience is often not punished and misbehavior tolerated.