Parenting: The Challenging Task of Modern World A Critical Review of COPE (Community Parent Education Program)

Abstract: COPE is one of the state-based public parent education programs carried on in Sweden with an aim to prevent the behavioral problems of young children. This study is a qualitative research to examine the strengths and weaknesses of COPE from the point of view of parents and educators. The study has an intercultural perspective and intends to assess if the cognitive-behavioral education can lead to the empowerment of parents. Semi-structured interviews are used to gather information. Empowerment and Cognitive-behavioral theories are used to analyze the findings of this study. According to the findings, meeting other parents with the same problems and learning the behavioral means to create the desired behavior and extinguish the undesired ones are the first strong points of the program according to parents and educators. They also mentioned that gaining self confidence, self control and anger control, as well as learning to behave rationally and according to the correct models are the results of this education. The most important barrier for the application of COPE is a cultural aspect. The Swedish society is not comfortable with the usage of material means of encouragement and punishment according to my informants. Low participation of parents both in the sessions and discussions is another problem. Individual empowerment both for parents and educators are achieved in COPE according to the interviews. Parents reported being more secure and in control in relation to children after taking part in COPE. Despite my earlier experiences of family education programs in Iran, reports about social empowerment is lacking in the Swedish context. Meanwhile, parents and educators had some suggestions to improve the program most importantly about social empowerment of parents.