We live in a society that is enriched with individuals with multiple perspectives and different values. Each individual possesses characteristics that make them who are. However, their decisions and influences lead them down different paths. On average, one young person every 1 hour and 44 minutes commits suicide (Drapeau & McIntosh). 300 out every 100,000 youth are lawfully incarcerated (Wihbey).  There is one million plus juveniles in the United States who are involved in gangs (Sam Huston State University).  These statistics are saddening but unfortunately these statistics are steadily increasing as the years go on. Youth are heavily influenced by their surroundings, which effects their adaptation to challenges in life.  As an individual continues to discover  their self  --  identity while learning how to make appropriate decisions that best benefit them, they often rely on what they are accustom to. Our youth holds great importance in our society as they will eventually be the ones who are benefiting or degrading our society. However, the main focus should not be on correcting our youth but on raising our children. Family is the first significant impact in a child's life. This is where children learn their value and morals. They learn what is socially acceptable and what is deemed as negative. This is where they establish the base of who they are and what they stand for. Eventually these influences of the family affect who the individual will eventually become. Quality family time is a critical aspect in a child's life as the influences directly affect the child's cognitive development. This is important, because as the child reaches adulthood these early influences will affect their decisions that will leave a lasting impact on society. Due to the significance of family and this fast paced society it is crucial to spend quality time with family, as time is limited.

By definition, quality time is "time spent in giving another person one's undivided attention in order to strengthen a relationship, especially with reference to working parents and their child or children" (Oxford Dictionary). The key word "quality" attaches a sense of irreplaceable value on a relationship as it develops and strengthens. Many parents worry that they are negatively impacting their family because they are not constantly present.  It evident that those who force themselves to spend extra time with family and still have to attend to business, can bring unneeded pressure on their child and family. According to the government, an average day for a working adult with children under the age of 18 is primarily consumed by work and sleep. Sleep takes up as approximately 7.7 hours and 8.9 hours is spent working (Census Bureau). About 2.5 hours are spent on leisure activities, and most importantly 1.2 hours are spent caring for others (Census Bureau).  The rest of the day is spent eating, doing household activities and other activities (Census Bureau). As one can see, with the stresses of society it may be difficult for one to find adequate time for family, as this is common for most families. Attachment Parenting International believes that being physically present may be tough for parents, however as long as the parent keeps the child in mind they are considered present (Murray, Curtner-Smith). Therefore, the parent must be mindful of the child's way of thinking and decisions, so that the child will feel like the parent understands them and is there for them mentally.

Quality family time is in fact more important than the mere amount of time a parent spends with their child. According to the Washington Post," plenty of studies have shown links between quality time, such as reading to a child, sharing meals, talking with them or otherwise engaging with them one-on-one and positive outcomes for kids" (Schulte). Quality family time does not only leave lasting impacts on the child but gives the child the attention that they need. In addition, it is beneficial for both the child and the parents' welling being. It allows the child to establish independence and autonomy when finding solution to problems. Parents who are constantly present, and makes decisions for their child could have a detrimental impact, as the child will become handicap. Eventually, this will make it difficult for a child to become their own independent individual. The American Academy of Pediatrics shows support as it emphasizes that children need unstructured time to themselves without the engagement of parents for social and cognitive behavior" (Schulte). The development of these social and cognitive aspects are important as it assist in creating a better individual. 

The essence of quality family time means that each individual must be actively involved in what is occurring. Parents must have their undivided attention on what is occurring and must riddance all distraction that takes their focus off of their involvement. When parents begin engage in multiple tasks while trying to interact with the child, they become passive which not is not beneficial for the child. An example of such is when the child is in the same area as their parents but the parents are not actively interacting with the child and instead focus on a different task such as tending to their elderly mother. (Folbre). Many children are not able to take advantage of this or may miss out on important lesson and positive influences, because there is no active involvement. Even though children may often spend a lot of time in child care, the National Institute of Health states that "parent and family features were two to three times more strongly linked to child development than was child care than preschool years" (Bock). This is ironic as the child learns more from the parent who is only able to spend a few hours with them, in contrast to child care, where the child spend most of his or her day.

Many people are unaware of how impactful these influences are on children as they retain information well. Many researchers have discovered that "early experiences have a decisive impact on the architecture of the brain and the nature and extent of adult capacities" (Machado, 16). Therefore, these influences can significantly impact the child in the long run. Each individual has their own way of thinking which influence their behaviors and decisions, this in return is what makes each human being unique. According to the Cognitive Behavior Model, ones thoughts influences their feelings which influences their behaviors, and as a result ones behavior reinforces their thoughts and the cycle continues (Mcleod). As stated by Mclod "CBT is based on the idea that how we think (cognition), how we feel (emotion) and how we act (behavior) all interact together.  Specifically, our thoughts determine our feelings and our behavior" (Mcleod). Because of how this model works, a child's family must be well functioning, "research indicates that the development of a child's behavior is strongly influenced by how well his or her family functions" (Mahalihali). This specifically draws attention to how the family should properly interact. 

At a very young age one can see the impacts of ones influences through the child's behavior and decisions. As stated by Mahlihali, the journalist of  Family influences on the Development of a child's behavior states, " Elkin and Handel (1978) defined the family as the first unit in which children have a continuous contact and the first context in which specialization patterns develop" (Mahalihali). This shows the significant impact during this period of a child's life. At this stage, children are more likely to become shaped by their parents' influences, as they learn to be independent. From birth a child's mind is like clay ready to be shaped and molded. However it is up to the parent or family to start off the process because family has the biggest impact on children before outside influences, such as school. "Demoss (2001) explained that parents have an enormous influence and responsibility in modeling the hearts and lives of their child" (Mahalihali). This is one of the most important jobs a parent would every have as they are building either the future leaders or troublemakers of our society. As a parent "You are your baby's first teacher. Your home is your child's first classroom. Every waking hour, your child is learning something. And most likely, it's something from you" (PBS). This trusted connection from birth allows the child to fully trust and copy the actions of their parent. As the child grows he or she is forever learning from their influences. 

The presence of quality family time positively impacts the child in multiple areas of their life, but moreover it affects their cognitions. Colin Powell, the former secretary of the United States, shares the importance of education and how families are responsible for starting their child off in the right direction. He speaks on the structure that is needed early on in the beginning of an individual's life so that they will be successful. Colin Powell states, "When does the learning process begin? Does it begin in first grade? NO, no, it begins the first time a child in a mother's arms look up at the mother and says, 'Oh, this must be my mother" (Powell). He continues to talk about the bond that the mother creates with her child when he or she is first born. He shares how the child learns the language of their mother, and at that very moment is the start of many things. "That's when language begins. That's when love begins. That's when structure begins. That's when you start to imprint on the child "you are special, you are different from every other child in the world"" (Powell).  He ventures on to say that we must not only teach them basic skill, like identifying colors and telling time, but we need to also to teach them manners and to think before acting. This will eventually be helpful when they reach grade school and for later life lessons. Without taking time to teach kids basic skills it will cause a lot of difficulty because when they depart to school; they will realize they are not like the other kids. They will realize that they are behind and feeling not as knowledgeable will cause them to act out. Powell shares "If you're not at the right reading level at third grade, you are a candidate for jail at age 18, and we have the highest incarceration rate because we're not getting our kids the proper start in life" (Powell). This all revolves back to the need of quality family time, and how it better prepares children either emotionally, psychologically, or physically.

Due to this attentive relationship of learning much more than moral values and confidence, children are automatically better prepared to handle life's issue.  A journal about Family Influences on the Development of a Child's Behavior states that "Children receive care for their dependency and attention for their sociability. The kind of care and attention children receive during their early years of life affect their handling of important issues, such as trust vs. distrust and autonomy vs disunity" (Mahalihali). Children must be mentally strong to deal with emotional issues in an appropriate manner. As a child continues to grows older, some encounter an identity crisis as they become unsure of themselves due to the influence of the environment. However, "Family support is found to have the largest effects on the self- concept variables" (harper, Hoelter, 129). It is critical to have positive experiences within the family as the journal of Marriage and Family states "experiences within the family not only increase or decrease the importance of the family for defining one's self, but affect simultaneously the relative importance of all other identities for self-definition" (Harper, Hoelter 130). Without a strong sense of family support during this time, it can impact the child's level of confidence, or even cause depression. As researchers have found "  ...  the child's emotional security and even other aspects of competence (cognitive, linguistics, etc.) are fostered by the ability of the parent to recognize, as early as the prenatal period, that the child has feelings, thoughts, and intentions of his or her own, separate from the parents" (Murray, Smith). This establishment from the beginning of the relationship allows the child to trust their parents for support during situations in their lives.

Since one's thoughts influences their emotions which also influence their actions, negative behavior occurs when one lacks the benefits that come along with establishing a strong quality relationship.  According to a Journal from the National Association of Social Workers "youth at risk for violent and antisocial behavior often suffer from alienation and lack of bonding to family, school, and community" (Mckay, 5). Antisocial behavior is and typically develops from low self-esteem and manifests itself due to the attention that was never provided throughout their childhood. Without the presence of active involvement within the family there is a tendency for the child to look for acceptance, as it is a need that we as individuals must have. Therefore they gain acceptance by doing things they normally would not do or by forcing themselves to behave differently. Television is a widely used form of entertainment that is readily available for children. Children are capable of being exposed to things such as violence, drugs, and sex when television is not restricted or monitored. These shows may exhibit many negative influences that the child believe is popular and acceptable.  A journal on the Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth shares the positive and negative effects in the specific medium of television on children.  Research indicates that "there is a relationship between watching violent television programming and increase a violent behavior by children" (Pediatric Child Health, 301).  Unfortunately, they view these behaviors shown through television, and may try to participate in things such as drugs and sexual activities to be accepted. Children tend to look for acceptance from other role models or even groups. Often times children who join gangs are looking for these critical needs and as a result get involved in other things that will negatively impact them.

Although there are an abundance of negative affects when there is an absence of the quality family time, there is also some negative aspects within a family who bonds. Not all parents or family members make good decisions and often times they may adapt bad habits or practices. For children that are exposed to the bad habits of their parents, they are more likely to suffer from the same ones.  In a journal on the Socioeconomic Status and Child Development it states "As children move toward adolescence, their own health- relevant behaviors become conduit for adaptive functioning. Sedentary lifestyles, poor eating habits, and early engagement in risky behaviors (smoking, substance use, sexual behavior, criminal activities) frequently lead to more serious health and adjustment difficulties" (Bradley, Crowyn 385). This could be detrimental to the child and if the parents continue these same practices, they may have a negative impact on their own child. Along with the negative influences parents may bring unneeded stress during the quality family time as the child could be impacted by this also. It is proven that 59% of employees feel that the attitudes of their peers made it difficult to balance both work and life (Fursman, 61). This may also bring in extra pressures that may contribute to making the bonding more uncomfortable. However, through all of the negative influences children need an "extended network" as Colin Powell mentioned in his speech. These networks extended family, family friends, or even the community are much needed as parents are not always the best influences.

Many people are unware of how important the presence of an actively involved family is. It controls almost every aspect of the individual's life in some way. The future of our world is in the hands of each generation's parents. Structure in the family is critical in order to build a strong foundation. Not all parents are positively influencing their child but, there is something positive that comes out of every experience. As an old proverb says it takes a village to raise a child. However, each village starts with the formation of a strongly bonded family.

