Despite criticisms others may have about Will and Jada’s less controlling parenting style, Will actually prefers teaching Willow to have complete control over her own body.
By: Amanda Anderson-Niles
Nothing starts a more intense debate than the often criticized debate on Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith’s parenting capabilities. Since the two actors are no longer the most famous of the Smith clan, the entire family has been scrutinized from Willow‘s fashion and hair style choices; to Jaden’s acting preparedness. It’s tough on children to have bullies and be picked on people they have never seen; but it’s even harder for a parent to continue to raise their child in a way that the general public deems irresponsible.
But Will Smith has no plans of letting what others feel about his parenting skills dictate what he feels is best for his household.
Quite the contrary to traditional parenting, Will and Jada feels it’s more important to teach their children to make their own decisions rather than teach them who is boss.
Willow Smith receives the most attention from the general public for doing some pretty outrageous things to her hair and her interesting wardrobe choices at the hands of critics and outspoken bloggers.
When asked why he allows Willow so much freedom with her hair and clothing, Will tells Starpulse.com:
“It’s so obvious to me that you have a little girl, how can you teach her that you’re in control of her body? If I teach her that I’m in charge of whether or not she can touch her hair, she’s going to replace me with some other man when she goes out into the world. She has got to take command of her body so when she goes out there into the world, she’s going out with a command that is hers. You can’t touch her body if she doesn’t want you to touch it because she’s used to it being hers and she’s used to making that decision for herself.”
When it comes to parenting, everyone has an opinion on how children should be raised. Anything that isn’t traditional is usually slammed by those who aren’t familiar with that particular perspective. But can’t we agree that we should at least wait until these children have records, become drug addicts, or do anything else that’s actually worth labeling as bad parenting before we label Will and Jada failures at parenting? I just think it’s a little premature at this point.
What do you think about Will’s outlook on raising Willow?
That’s an interesting outlook to have on raising kids. I don’t knock Will or Jada because I haven’t really seen these kids do anything I felt reflecting a lack of parenting. Willow can come off like a wild child with her hair changes and weird shoes, but I don’t think they have bad kids at all. We have to be really careful how we criticize people for thinking differently about raising their own kids. To each it’s own.
Go on Will. I like his answer but I sure do hope this strategy doesn’t turn for the ugly once she hits those damn teenage years. Good luck with that Big Willie.
Will I was with you until I saw lil Willow dangling off a stripper pole. So are we just going to pretend that a little control for a child can’t be dangerous?
Riiiiiiight, That little girl is too grown. He can do whatever he wants as a parent, but I definitely won’t act like I see anything cute about her behavior. She will grow up and be too fast. Watch.
Sounds like Will is down with the Scientology cult. That organization is real big on letting their kids have more control and behaving like little grown ups. This will not end well.
Ain’t nothing wrong with those kids. People can be way too critical about what other people do with their own children. I just see two kids going after their dreams, and two supportive parents encouraging them to do so. Nothing wrong with that.
I don’t understand what it is about the Smiths that has black people up in arms? What is it, jealousy? They are a strong black family unit in Hollywood. Let’s uplift and not tear down. We don’t have that many strong black family units in the public eye to be acting a fool on these blogs.