The Advantages of Strict Parents

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In 2011, lawyer Amy Chua came under fire for releasing her parenting memoir, "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which detailed her sometimes-extreme methods of strict parenting. While some critics speak out against a strict or authoritarian method of parenting, giving your child clear rules and expectations can also have its advantages. While you'll still need to incorporate your child's individual needs, a strict stance could be the right type of parenting for your family. Clear Boundaries Children thrive on routine and predictability, which is when strict parenting comes in handy. When your child understands not only the rules but also the consequences of broken rules, it's easier for him to understand boundaries and anticipate your reactions. A more permissive or less predictable style of parenting can leave your child guessing as to what is and isn't OK. Strict parenting allows your child to see life in shades of black and white, easily seeing the delineation between what's acceptable, notes psychologist Molly Castelloe in an article for Psychology Today. Achievement Strict parents often focus on the ability to succeed, which can turn out children who are dedicated to achievement. Of course, achievement and being excellent isn't everything, but if a strict parent urges practice and dedication to everything from grades to sports or playing a musical instrument, it can push children to excellence in general. A strict parent dedicated to excellence then yields children who understand the value of hard work and the confidence that comes from trying hard and reaping the benefits. Mental Health The children often strict parents could have major benefits when it comes to overall self-control and mental health, according to a study by the Texas A&M College of Education and Human Development. When Jeffrey Liew, an associate professor of learning sciences in
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