discuss Should children fear their parents?

[Shawn]

There was a time when kids feared their parents.

Some say that's when there was no school shootings, children didn't get on drugs, and kids stayed out of trouble.

Many kids today do not fear their parents. They also know they can get their parents thrown in jail if they get mean with them.

How do you all feel about this?

 

[Dr. A]

I agree with this to a certain extent. Of course, fear here doesn't mean that it has to be morbid rather just enough to keep the child in check. A child should know that he/she is answerable to the parents. The demographics of different countries are evident for this viewpoint. For example, those kids with clear set-rules, and less freedom are better mannered compared to their counterparts worldwide. However, there are other factors such as peer pressure, easy availability of weapons like guns, broken relationships and upbringing that also contribute to a child's reaction towards the parents, in particular, and the society in general.

 

[Shawn]

easy availability of weapons like guns

See I argue this.

Growing up, I had access to pistols and rifles. They were not locked, and I knew how to use them at an early age. I was taught that they were not toys and I knew better than to touch them.

There is nothing different about the human brain and ability to learn from then versus now. Parents with firearms need to teach their children that they're not toys.

It's really that simple.

But as a precaution, firearm owners should keep firearms locked up.

 

[Kross]

I grew up scared of my father. He was such a strict disciplinarian that would go to the extreme to discipline you. I personally wasn't cool with the fact that I would be staying at home with my dad.

 

[MamaFrankie]

No they shouldn't. Respect them as authority yes, but not fear them. My parents were ultra strict to the point where I attempted to top myself on a few occasions.

 

[Zani]

The internet has made a lot of changes in the world, and trust me, there are a lot of kids who would have remained law abiding, assuming they didn't have access to the internet.

 

[NatureFreak]

As unpleasant as this might sound, I have noticed that kids that grew up fearing their parents often turn out better in life than those who don't.

 

[strongdude]

Children should not fear parents, they should respect them. Parents should not think that their children will respect them if they put their fear into the hearts of children. Putting fear into the hearts of children will certainly backfire and make children lose respect ultimately.

 

[Yama]

I never feared my parents and I don't expect my kids to be afraid of me. I respected my parents and I also want respect from my kids. However, I know I need to earn that respect. When you respect your parents, you listen to your parents, you follow their instructions. I believe those who respect their parents are likely to be more successful in their life.

 

[Jason]

Some cultures have strong senses of family shame. For instance, someone one the Philippines commented school shootings didn't happen there because of the shame brought on the family.

There was a time when kids feared their parents.

Some say that's when there was no school shootings, children didn't get on drugs, and kids stayed out of trouble.

Many kids today do not fear their parents. They also know they can get their parents thrown in jail if they get mean with them.

How do you all feel about this?

Schools are full of a bunch of rednecks or other unruly types, because the parents are the same or non-existent. In that case, the bullied students fight back with school shootings etc. because the rednecks don't fear the school admin.

 

[Augusta]

I don't think they should fear their parents. Well fear is common in children as they learn to fear by observing their parents. it can also contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. So no need to fear

 

[Jason]

Fear of parents seems like another excuse of wife beater types, but I really wonder why there is no discussion of fear of school admin. If they would harshly punish brats at school, you'd see less bullying, less school shootings maybe.

 

[Shawn]

Some cultures have strong senses of family shame. For instance, someone one the Philippines commented school shootings didn't happen there because of the shame brought on the family.


Schools are full of a bunch of rednecks or other unruly types, because the parents are the same or non-existent. In that case, the bullied students fight back with school shootings etc. because the rednecks don't fear the school admin.

I don't about that one, Jason,

I have often been considered a redneck. In the country, children are raised in stricter environments, many in religious settings. I feared by parents because if I messed up, I got a whipping that I would remember - with a belt, paddle, or even a switch.

You don't see that happening much in the cities.

Maybe you define redneck as something else?

 

[Jason]

I don't about that one, Jason,

I have often been considered a redneck. In the country, children are raised in stricter environments, many in religious settings. I feared by parents because if I messed up, I got a whipping that I would remember - with a belt, paddle, or even a switch.

You don't see that happening much in the cities.

Maybe you define redneck as something else?

Sorry, shouldn't have used that term. I was just saying there are a lot of real judgmental and aggressive people where I live, and they have kids just like them. I don't know the term for them.

And also there are gangbangers and other types from other cultures which are similar. They are in-your-face and wanting to start stuff.

In my own situation, they were throwing paper-wads and mocking me until finally I had to start a fight with them in library class (in middle school). This started a chain reaction where they then blamed me for the whole situation, and they upped the aggression.

 

[Shawn]

The gangbangers to me are the types of people who I think should have been raised to fear their parents.

But I mean, a majority of school shooters aren't really gangbangers. Most of them are the goth/emo types or are deeply depressed, probably because of a lack of parenting and attention from parents.

 

[Jason]

The gangbangers to me are the types of people who I think should have been raised to fear their parents.

But I mean, a majority of school shooters aren't really gangbangers. Most of them are the goth/emo types or are deeply depressed, probably because of a lack of parenting and attention from parents.

I mean alpha types drive goth/emo types toward school shootings.

But, you know, kids are kids, boys are boys (girls are girls really too because they are just as vicious). But I'm just commenting that grade school is a rough place. I don't really know what can be done about it, except that kids have to be stronger to overcome it.

Me threatening fights (or fighting) as a reaction to bullying didn't help the situation because they just weren't scared of me. I wasn't tough enough looking.