Do Children Learn Aggressive Behaviour From Parents?

One of the negative things which kids learn from parents is the aggressive behaviour. Find out how children get into aggressive behaviour by watching their parents.Do children learn aggressive behaviour from their parents? This is a question every parent asks himself or herself once or twice. The truth is yes. Children learn their behaviour from their adults, the primary care givers, their parents.If we want to have a peaceful world, it starts with you, the parent. A serene home environment starts with the way parents act around children. In this articleChildren Respond to the Parent’s ActionsWhat Studies ShowChildren Pick Up Bad Habits and Behaviour From YouWhat Can Parents Do?Give Consistent Love and AffectionAlways Supervise your ChildBe a Role ModelChildren Respond to the Parent’s ActionsThere have been various scientific experiments which directly prove that children learn aggressive behaviour from no one else but their parents. In one of the classic experiments performed by renowned psychologists, a “Boho Doll” study experiment most conclusively proves how a kid picks up aggressive nature from his parents. In the experiment, children were made to witness their parents play with an inflated toy doll. Some adults behaved either aggressively towards the toy doll such as hitting it with hammer or kicking it and the rest interacted peacefully with the doll. The lead scientist behind the study, Albert Bandura, thinks that children would play with the doll in the same manner as their parents did, and that is exactly what he proved.What Studies ShowThe crux of the study was to learn the psychology of a child and how they tend to learn from their immediate environment, here, their parents. What was concluded from the study is that it is not merely useful to tell your children to not be aggressive but to actually behave peacefully yourself. Children usually mimic their parent’s behaviour after they have seen adults perform or behave in a certain way. Merely telling them to stop or making excuses as to why you acted rashly at the moment would not help and may harm your child’s psyches. Children Pick Up Bad Habits and Behaviour From YouStudies have also seen that parents who play violent video games and watch aggressive television series have a direct impact on their child’s behaviour. According to the study, children and teens become more aggressive and show violent behaviour after they watch their parents indulge in these shows and games. Although, biology and genetics also play a determining role, but this violent behaviour in children is promoted more if parents behave in an aggressive way. What Can Parents Do?Parents play a useful role in helping their children develop a healthy attitude towards life by raising children in safe and loving homes. Here are some suggestions that can help you make a difference in your child’s life:Give Consistent Love and AffectionGive your child consistent love and affection. Every child needs a loving relationship with their parents to feel secure and safe around them. If you are more involved in your child’s life, your child is less likely to develop into a violent and aggressive adult. Always Supervise your ChildAlways make sure that your child is supervised. Children depend on their parents and family when they are growing up and need a lot of attention, protection and encouragement. Studies have shown that unsupervised children have the most behavioural problems such as aggressive nature and violent tendencies. Be a Role ModelShow your child the appropriate way to act by being an example. The behaviour of the parent has a strong influence on the child. So children often learn by example. By valuing pride, honesty and respect in your family you can inculcate in them good qualities that are required for a filling and happy life.You should be consistent and strict about following rules and discipline in the house. Children need structure in the house with crystal clear expectations for their behaviour.Teach your children to settle arguments and fights calmly and not by threats and physical harm. Parents can often encourage aggressive behaviour to their children without knowing it so you have to take care of how you act in front of your children. Children follow your example, so make sure you are a good one.How do children learn aggressive behaviour? What can parents do to inculcate good behaviour in children? How can parents prevent the development of aggressive behaviour in kids? Discuss here.