rear children

USAGE SUMMARY

"rear children" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means to raise or bring up children. Example: Parents have the responsibility to rear children who are kind, responsible, and well-adjusted members of society.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Much attention has been focused on career women who leave the work force to rear children.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Adults in jobs needing literacy tend to rear children better prepared to read.

The New York Times

For instance, these scholars saw the family as a universal social institution that functioned primarily to rear children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The majority have much better things to do - such as rear children and struggle through daily life.

The Guardian

Those children go back, of course, when the time comes to rear children of their own who, in turn..

The New York Times

They married seven years ago, and Christina eventually quit her job as a paralegal to come home and rear children.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The automaker's report said the left, rear child lock might not lock.

The New York Times

Others are rearing children.

The New York Times

Rearing trees is like rearing children.

The New York Times

There's precious little about rearing children".

The Guardian - Books

Grandparents have always reared children when need arose.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is highly effective when discussing the responsibilities and societal roles of the family unit.

Common error

While "raise" and "rear" are largely interchangeable for humans, "rear" is generally restricted to humans and animals. Avoid using "rear" when talking about plants; use "grow" or "cultivate" instead. Additionally, be aware that in very casual conversation, "rear" may sound slightly dated or overly formal compared to "raise".

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig AI, "rear children" functions as a transitive verb phrase consisting of the verb "rear" (meaning to bring up and care for to maturity) and the plural noun "children" as its direct object. It is a stable collocation that has appeared in literature and formal speech for centuries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "rear children" is a grammatically correct and sophisticated phrase used to describe the act of raising and nurturing offspring. Ludwig AI identifies it as a very common expression, particularly within high-tier news outlets and academic publications. While the phrase "raise children" has become the dominant choice in casual conversation, "rear children" remains a powerful tool for writers seeking a more formal or precise tone. It is used across various disciplines, from sociological discussions on the family unit to psychological studies on parenting styles. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a holistic responsibility for a child's growth and is most effective in contexts that emphasize the weight or purpose of parental duties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise children

The most common and versatile alternative in modern English

bring up children

A phrasal verb alternative that is slightly more common in British English

parent children

Focuses more on the active role and tasks of being a parent

care for children

Stresses the aspect of providing safety, food, and basic needs

nurture children

Emphasizes the emotional and developmental support provided to the child

raise offspring

Used more frequently in biological or evolutionary scientific contexts

provide for children

Focuses on the financial and material support of the family

foster children

Usually refers to a specific legal arrangement rather than general parenting

educate children

Specifically targets the instructional and schooling aspect of upbringing

train children

A more traditional or strict term focusing on behavior and skills

FAQs

What is the difference between "rear children" and "raise children"?

There is essentially no difference in meaning. Historically, some grammarians suggested that you "rear children" and raise cattle, but in modern English, "raise children" is more common and perfectly acceptable.

Is "rear children" a formal expression?

Yes, "rear children" is often considered more formal or traditional than "bring up children" or "raise children".

Can I use "rear children" in academic writing?

Absolutely. It is frequently found in peer-reviewed journals and academic books within the fields of sociology, psychology, and education to describe the process of "rearing children".

What is another way to say "rearing children"?

You can use synonyms such as "parenting", "child-rearing", or "upbringing" depending on the structure of your sentence.