Why can't javascript/jQuery get parentNode?

click, html, javascript, jquery

Solution

The jQuery method is called parent()

$(".ELLink").click(function (){
        var stringDate = $(this).parent().text().substring(0, 8)
        console.log(stringDate)
    });

Problem

Considering that I have an element like this: ``` <p class="ELP">2/1/2013 - <a id="EL3" class="ELLink" href="/Event htms/Event.cshtml?title=Okmulgee Public Schools County Professional Day&amp;explanation=Okmulgee Public Schools County Professional Day.&amp;dateString=2-1-2013">City Public Schools County Professional Day</a></p> ``` Why does this JavaScript/jQuery work...: ``` $(".ELP").click(function (){ var stringDate = $(this).text().substring(0, 8) console.log(stringDate) }); ``` Console.log produces: 2/1/2013 ...And this JavaScript/jQuery doesn't? ``` $(".ELLink").click(function (){ var stringDate = $(this).parentNode.text().substring(0, 8) console.log(stringDate) }); ``` Console.log produces nothing because of JavaScript error: Uncaught TypeError: Cannot call method 'text' of undefined Clearly I can see that it is not 'getting' the right element, but why? Isn't the first parent node of my 'a' element the 'p' element? As far as I understand it, there is no (at least no cross-browser/platform compatible) valid css selector for the direct parent node of an element or i would just use that. What am I not seeing?

Original source