Using harsh words to discipline your kids may be counterproductive, as Science Daily reports that doing so may only aggravate their negative behavior.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Michigan analyzed data on 967 two-parent families with teenagers between 13 and 14 years old, which was collected using surveys on parenting, mental health, and inter-family relationships. They then found that kids’ conduct problems included disobedience in school, dishonesty, stealing, participating in gang fights, and vandalizing or damaging public or private property. On the other hand, parental behavior that indicated harsh verbal discipline included shouting, swearing, and name-calling.
The results revealed that children who were dealt with harsh verbal discipline fostered feelings of anger and belligerence. The said behavior also increased risk in the possibility of teens engaging in delinquent behavior.
“The notion that harsh discipline is without consequence, once there is a strong parent-child bond -- that the adolescent will understand that 'they're doing this because they love me' -- is misguided because parents' warmth didn't lessen the effects of harsh verbal discipline,” assistant professor Ming-Te Wang explains.
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