Introduction
Adolescence is one of the most critical stages of forming a person’s personality and is marked by significant changes in many aspects. Hence, this period affects psychological and emotional transformations and lays down experiences that will affect the entire future life of individuals. One of the main issues that still cause many debates and clashes of opinion is more essential than the need to involve parents in this stage of life.
On the one hand, it is emphasized that negative parental guidance negatively affects adolescent behavior. On the other hand, there is an opposite opinion, which believes that parental guidance does not affect adolescent behavior. Therefore, such arguments as the deterioration of mental and emotional state, the decline of moral and ethical values, and the absence of success in academic life and the future, in general, are the consequences of negative parental guidance on adolescence.
Negative Impact of Parental Guidance
First, it is necessary to consider the point of view that adheres to the opinion that negative parental guidance negatively affects adolescent behavior. Many may argue and note that parents have no negative impact on this aspect of a child’s development, but studies show the opposite. It is highlighted that “perceived permissive parenting style was negatively related to moral identity and prosocial behaviors in adolescents” (Fatima et al., 2020, p. 1). These results show that the lack of norms and rules promoted by parents to teach children proper manners and aspects of social behavior leads to a decrease in their morality and a lack of understanding of its value.
Moral and Ethical Consequences
The first argument this work will provide to support the opinion that incorrect parental mentoring will negatively impact the child’s behavior is its influence on moral and ethical development. Within this aspect, it is worth noting that parents play a role in shaping their children’s ways of interacting with others, and expressing their feelings and emotions is paramount. This is because many individuals become role models, and children read certain behaviors from those that their parents show them. Thus, if caregivers do not have explicit attitudes and moral and ethical values, they will provide the child with an understanding that the way they behave does not have negative characteristics.
The manifestation of deterioration in moral and ethical values and concepts can have serious negative consequences for individuals in the future. This can lead to severe problems with interacting with others and building connections. In addition, lacking these critical principles can lead to problems at work or school. Due to the occurrence of these issues, individuals may experience severe and prolonged stress, which in the future may result in even more disastrous psychological and physical difficulties. Thus, negative genitive guidance drives the development of immoral and unethical behavior in adolescents, which tremendously contributes to the lives of people in society.
Emotional and Mental Well-Being
The following argument that needs to be paid attention to when considering the topic of the negative contribution of incorrect parental guidance to children is a violation of the emotional and psychological state. In the context of this point, it should be noted that the phenomenon under consideration has manifestations not only in resolving an undesirable behavior model on the part of parents. Negative guidance is also manifested through criticism, neglect, or emotional abuse, which have significantly adverse consequences for the adolescent. Research stated that “children who suffer emotional abuse may feel worthless, unloved, or have other passive perceptions” (Zhang et al., 2022, p. 1).
However, these aspects are not the only adverse effects on the child’s psyche. Therefore, this behavior on the part of parents can significantly reduce the child’s self-esteem and affect the development of anxiety and depression, which can develop into more serious and difficult-to-treat disorders. The manifestation of negative parental guidance in the form of criticism, neglect, or emotional abuse has a massive effect on the development of a person’s personality. Low self-esteem and a sense of uselessness and insufficiency can be singled out among some of these consequences.
These experiences and emotional states can lead to behaviors such as self-harm, substance abuse, and even suicidal tendencies. This is of particular concern, as it poses a significant threat to human well-being. In addition, the negative guidance experienced can also affect how individuals relate to others. In other words, they will exhibit the same behavior they were treated with in childhood, which can lead to issues with building relationships with people and maintaining a satisfactory lifestyle.
Academic and Future Success
The last argument that stands out in defense of the opinion about the negative contribution of parental guidance is its contribution to hindering an adolescent’s academic performance and future success. Hughes and Devine (2019) conducted a study in which they showed that the negative impact on children from caregivers significantly reduces their cognitive abilities and leads to a decrease in the rate of formation of various skills.
This process is not only due to emotional pressure or neglect, as mentioned earlier. A decrease in academic success may also occur due to a decrease in the motivation and desire of an individual to participate in the educational process. This aspect is supported by processes such as support, encouragement, and discipline, which adolescents may not receive due to negative parental guidance.
On the other hand, they may be subjected to excessive criticism, bullying, and condemnation, which leads to decreased confidence in their abilities and loss of a sense of self-importance. In the future, a decrease in academic success and a deterioration in self-esteem may lead to a person having difficulties in building an adult life. This aspect implies the inability to study at a higher educational institution due to a lack of knowledge.
This is because “left-behind children have lower cognitive and academic test scores and are also less likely to attend a college” (Mao et al., 2020, p. 1). Thus, people may later face problems finding a job and decent earnings to lead a successful and beneficial life. It is also worth noting that with negative parental mentoring, children do not receive such essential skills for personality formation as setting goals and making responsible choices. The lack of these skills can lead to irresponsible and harmful consequences that can negatively affect the rest of a person’s life.
Opposing View
When considering the arguments regarding the negative contribution of parental guidance presented earlier, it is also worth paying attention to the opposite opinion, which says it does not influence adolescents. It is worth noting that this point of view does not deny the complete absence of this factor but focuses on the fact that many other aspects have a more profound contribution to individuals.
Thus, a child’s behavior can be shaped by peer pressure, societal norms, and experiences they receive outside the home when interacting with society. Wu and Cai (2023) pointed out that children’s peer environment can change their academic ability and psychological outcomes. These external factors contribute to acquiring immoral and unethical behaviors, disrupting academic success, and decreasing emotional and psychological well-being. However, despite the partial validity of this argument, it cannot be considered valid. This is because parental mentoring is the main factor in the formation of the personality and behavior of individuals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the impact of negative parental guidance on adolescent behavior is undeniable. It leads to such negative and long-lasting consequences as deterioration of emotional and mental well-being, which can lead to serious and health-threatening results in the future. Furthermore, incorrectly exposed behaviors that do not consider such aspects as morality and ethics also negatively affect adolescents and lead to the inability to build relationships with people and usually function in society. Negative parental guidance also contributes to a decrease in motivation and self-esteem, leading to a deterioration of an individual’s academic and future success. Thus, parents are faced with the task of providing the most effective and valuable guidance to ensure the well-being of their children.
References
Fatima, S., Dawood, S., & Munir, M. (2020). Parenting styles, moral identity and prosocial behaviors in adolescents. Current Psychology, 1-9. Web.
Hughes, C., & Devine, R. T. (2019). For better or for worse? Positive and negative parental influences on young children’s executive function. Child Development, 90(2), 593-609. Web.
Mao, M., Zang, L., & Zhang, H. (2020). The effects of parental absence on children development: evidence from left-behind children in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18). Web.
Wu, S. J., & Cai, X. (2023). Adding up peer beliefs: Experimental and field evidence on the effect of peer influence on math performance. Psychological Science, 34(8), 851-862. Web.
Zhang, R., Xie, R., Ding, W., Wang, X., Song, S., & Li, W. (2022). Why is my world so dark? Effects of child physical and emotional abuse on child depression: The mediating role of self-compassion and negative automatic thoughts. Child Abuse & Neglect, 129. Web.