Effects of Parental Controls

It is generally true that parents have good intentions for their children. But how does parental control relate to these intentions? Many children will accuse their parents of either being too protective, or not caring enough. Parental control approaching either of these extremes can be damaging to a child's mental health and well-being, sometimes leading to depression or other ill effects later in life. Conversely, appropriate levels and methods of parental control will obviously have positive effects on the outcome of a child.

Studies

In a 2000 study of several adolescent Scottish lawbreakers, it was determined that most of the young men claimed that their parents were both overly controlling and careless about their children. Similarly, a 2001 study of two thousand Australian secondary schools showed that low levels of parental care lead to depression. However, parental control was not shown to lead to depression.

Distinction

The lesson to be learned here is that parental control and parental care are two distinct things, and that low levels of care will lead to ill effects with more certainty than high levels of control. Parents who have difficulty distinguishing care from control will often pass the trait on to their children, along with other negative effects associated with this type of confusion.

The Balance of Control and Care

Researchers generally agree that a balance must be struck between parental control and parental care. Ideally, parents will raise their children with a high level of care and a low level of control. This must be practiced from an early age. Low levels of care in a child's early years will lead to the need for high levels of control later. By exhibiting high levels of care, and teaching by example, excessive amounts of control will not be necessary when a child reaches adolescence.

Parental Control: Media Consumption

Many parents will find it necessary to control what types and what amounts of media their children consume, for moral or religious reasons. According to researchers, this is acceptable. Music, film, and video games generally monitored by parents in order to protect them, depending on their age. Excessive amounts of control in this area can have negative effects, such as rebellion, but a certain level of parental control is obviously necessary. For example, most parents would deem it inappropriate to expose their elementary school children to the violence and language of R-rated films.

Considerations

The parent-child relationship is quite obviously a delicate balance. Care, support, closeness, conflict, control and care are all interdependent factors in this type of relationship. Studies of these relationships are ongoing, and experts continue to argue the merits of parental control.

References

• The Effect of Parental Control and Parental Care on Children's Mental Health
• The Psychology of Parental Control: How Well-meant Parenting Backfires;Wendy S. Grolnick; 2002