Discipline refers to the act of teaching where skills and knowledge are imparted in children of all ages. It forms the structure where children can fit into the world in an effective way as it lays the foundation for the development of self-actualization in the child. Parents have made many considerations in the proper ways to discipline their children where at times it is accompanied by control and punishment (Yust, 2006). They have controversies over the effective ways to teach and guide their children. However, despite these controversies teenagers of today have portrayed instances of lack of discipline and general customs that has contributed to huge degradation of courtesies in the school life and life in general. It is important to note that discipline in children largely determines the attitudes they portray. The teenagers of today have indicated instances of lack of discipline which is believed to emanate from the parenting styles they are exposed to in their daily life (Yust, 2006). This paper will focus on describing the correlation between child discipline and attitudes of teenagers of today. It will bring out the relationship between the attitudes of teenagers in the classroom and life in general as well as the discipline or lack of it received as young impressionable children.
Attitudes and discipline in children are related to the fact that they portray how the child has been brought up and the way they behave when they exposed to particular situations. Teenagers in today’s life have indicated instances where lack of discipline changes their attitudes, for instance: many teenagers have shown signs of abusing or talking back to their parents even when they are on the wrong. Parents have a huge challenge in this case as they avoid disciplining their children through spanking and many engage in discussions with the aim of rectifying the misconduct (Rosner, 2013). However, as many parents have indicated, this never works and the teenagers on respond where necessary or talk back to their parents. The society has led to decline in discipline among children, and shaping of the attitudes portrayed by teenagers today (Rosner, 2013).
The society has brought about the illusion or rather the ideology that parents are required to give their children more of what they ask for them to become good parents. Similarly, it has also brought about the impression on children that they are entitled to get everything they want. These impressions are built from sources such as the media, movies and their friends at school. This impression creates a situation where children tend to formulate new designs and cultures where if something is considered new, every child must have it or else they will be classified as not “cool” (Laible, 2008). Pressure builds up on most parents as their children keep demanding for such items to fit in with the popular people at school or in the real life. It also leads to children getting items that go beyond what they practically need at times where at times it may exceed the family’s ability. When children or rather teenagers in this case do not get the items they asked for, they become defiant and may even respond in an abusive manner to their parents. Studies have shown that some engage in activities that may lead to immorality in order to access that item.
Child discipline is brought about by the influence the parents have on their children in their daily lives. It helps determine the activities they are engaged in as well control the behavior. The parenting styles imposed to teenagers and children at all developmental stages also determines the attitudes portrayed. There are very close ties between discipline and attitude when it comes to teenagers of today (Guion, 2009). However, the different parenting styles used largely influence the attitude in these teenagers. Parenting styles are categorized into various aspects that help shape the development of children. These aspects include: authoritative, authoritarian, cognitive or permissive and uninvolved. These aspects help shape the way children behave as they bring out the systems of influence that surround the experiences within the family that are brought about by the expectations and norms in the society (Guion, 2009).
Teenagers in today’s life have shown lack of general customs and courtesies as they are not brought up in the right way. Parents have gone easy on their children where no punishments are put in place. Teenagers simply talk back to their parents, make sneers when they are being scolded or murmur unclear comments when their parents are talking to them. Most of the teenagers show a “don’t care” attitude when they are being addressed by their parents (Deater, 2003). This sort of behavior has developed over the years as their parents did not take any action and were simply giving in to the demands they made. The false sense of entitlement in teenagers and children gives them an impression that they need to be rewarded for carrying out activities and tasks that are essentially part of their obligation. Teenagers today have the tendency to demand for an increase in allowances and when the parents deny them, they end up showing that don’t care attitude. This is mostly prevalent to parents who are cognitively or permissive to their children (Deater, 2003).
Additionally, teenagers of today lack general customs and courtesies in the way they respond to situations. The society has largely contributed to the decline of discipline courtesy in that it brings about the ideology where parents think that their children encounter situations where other children gloat to them of how great their parents are. This aspect leads parents to overspending in order to please their children and get praised. The society also contributes to the way children and teenagers in this case are punished for the lack of general customs or courtesies. Parents have neglected the aspect of physically punishing their children with the fear that other members of the society will consider as brutality or child abuse (Morrish, 1997).
Teenagers have lacked courtesy even at schools where they talk back to the teachers and deny them the respect they deserve. They have been seen engaging in activities of impunity even in the presence of adults and they cannot refrain from them even when warned (Laible, 2008). Some of the activities teenagers have acquired include smoking and using drugs substances at home or at schools. These activities are brought about by the influence brought about by their parents. Uninvolved parents have indicated instances where they do not pay attention to their children in terms of the activities they engage (Laible, 2008). They are only involved in their personal issues and have no time for their children and thus the children adopt such kind of a livelihood where everyone in the family minds their own business. Therefore, the teenager in this family will engage in activities that are not appropriate but since the parents are not available to control it, they carry on without caring. It also gives them a don’t care attitude as they have nobody to draw the lines or tell them what is right and what is wrong (Laible, 2008).
When comparing the teenagers of today to teenagers of past generations it is very easy to detect the huge difference. Today’s teenagers are more arrogant and abusive even to their own parents and the members of the society that those of past generations. Teenagers of past generations were subjected to physical punishments and thus did not engage in activities that would land them into trouble (Pillemer, 1991). They were more respectful and obeyed their parents as they were more authoritative that those of today. Similarly, past generation teenagers were guided by the society of family values and what was expected of them in the society (Pillemer, 1991). These days people just mind their own business and the society does not intervene in other people’s affairs. The society had measures where teenagers were disciplined in more structural basis rather than parental guidance. The family had its role to play in the society and every member had their part. These days’ people are just concerned in doing their own things to an extent where they even neglect their own children (Pillemer, 1991).
After all is said and done, it is important to note that parenting and guiding children especially teenagers is a task that requires effective measures. Parents should incorporate all styles in rearing their children (Straus, 2013). They should also understand that teenage life is a stage that involves may change in the physical, social, cognitive and psychological factors of children it is a stage where teenagers move from being the children they were considered to be two adults who are expected to make decisions on their own (Straus, 2013). Parents should also ensure that their children are disciplined enough and do not get their way in everything. This requires authoritative parenting styles where they should control the teenagers and mould them to become independent adults (Straus, 2013).
In addition to this, parents should ensure that they have proper ways to deal with children with bad attitudes. This requires the parents to first check their own behavior as the children may have acquired it from them. Secondly, it involves setting up clear and definitive boundaries that will define what the children are expected to do (Pickhardt, 2008). This should be coupled with parents teaching their children on the consequences related to their attitude behavior. Consistency is another aspect that parents should uphold as it gives clarity on what they want to be done. Incidentally, parents should ensure that they are strict on the punishments they impose on the children (Pickhardt, 2008). They should let the children suffer the consequences of the problem they brought to themselves. They should utilize opportunities where the children learn and observe others. This should be through the movies, books or TV shows that entail valuable lessons. Parents should also avoid exposing their children to the sense of entitlement. They should ensure that they provide the basic needs and reward the children only after they have shown development in something or earned it through the appropriate behavior (Pickhardt, 2008).
Finally, there are several tips that should be implemented in order to discipline teenagers of today. These tips include: enforcement of some basic behaviors, going easy on the small issues, flexibility in imposing curfews, avoiding punitive punishments, establish what teenagers like doing and withdraws it from them or deny them, ensure effective communication at all times and letting of situations after they have passed (Morrish, 1997). These measures will help to bring the teenager in good shape. They should be accompanied with good parenting styles that involve some of authority and involvement in the lives of teenagers. Family members should ensure that they recognize the role and value of each member to ensure that all are engaged (Morrish, 1997).
References
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