Tough Love Approach on Children
Joshua Red
In American society, media portrays tough love as a negative factor that should not be applied to children. Coming from a family with a tough love approach, I would have to disagree with the majority. Tough love opens up a whole new way of raising a child especially when it comes to them growing up in the long run. Many people would look down upon “tough love” considering they want to see their child content and corporal punishment would of course upset them. The road to taking a tough love approach may be rough but in the end, it would all be worth it. I believe all parents should take a tough love approach in raising their children to benefit them in the future. An interesting research would state tough love does not allow enabling; parents usually try to seek to be friends with their children rather than taking up the roll in actually parenting them. (Straus) It is important to maintain a close relationship with a child but also remember one’s roll as a parent. Giving leeway to a child while knowing they are wrong and not pursuing in punishment or consequence would only lead to a greater chance in the child repeating their mistake. There is nothing wrong with trying to be friends with your children as long as their wrongs will still be pointed out and made right. One question that may come across a tough love approach would be what exactly is tough love? Tough love can be defined as many things depending on the parent and their views on how to raise their children. Major aspects of tough love would fall in the categories of discipline, assertiveness, and corporal punishment to an extent. In other words parents shouldn’t let their children have their way if they know that their behavior isn’t proper. “Tough love is simply not letting a child practice bad behavior or anything that will lead to mischief or trouble in the long run.” (Straus) Another way of seeing tough love is the approach parents take to love their children
In American society, media portrays tough love as a negative factor that should not be applied to children. Coming from a family with a tough love approach, I would have to disagree with the majority. Tough love opens up a whole new way of raising a child especially when it comes to them growing up in the long run. Many people would look down upon “tough love” considering they want to see their child content and corporal punishment would of course upset them. The road to taking a tough love approach may be rough but in the end, it would all be worth it. I believe all parents should take a tough love approach in raising their children to benefit them in the future. An interesting research would state tough love does not allow enabling; parents usually try to seek to be friends with their children rather than taking up the roll in actually parenting them. (Straus) It is important to maintain a close relationship with a child but also remember one’s roll as a parent. Giving leeway to a child while knowing they are wrong and not pursuing in punishment or consequence would only lead to a greater chance in the child repeating their mistake. There is nothing wrong with trying to be friends with your children as long as their wrongs will still be pointed out and made right. One question that may come across a tough love approach would be what exactly is tough love? Tough love can be defined as many things depending on the parent and their views on how to raise their children. Major aspects of tough love would fall in the categories of discipline, assertiveness, and corporal punishment to an extent. In other words parents shouldn’t let their children have their way if they know that their behavior isn’t proper. “Tough love is simply not letting a child practice bad behavior or anything that will lead to mischief or trouble in the long run.” (Straus) Another way of seeing tough love is the approach parents take to love their children
Cited: Straus, Murray A. "Tough Love." American Humane Association. Murray A Straus, 2011. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. <http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-discipline.html>. Williams, Aurelia. "What Is Tough Love and When to Use It." Retro Parenting. Retro Parenting, 24 July 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. <http://drmommyonline.com/what-is-tough-love-and-when-to-use-it>. Chua, Amy. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom. N.p.: Penguin Group USA, 2011. Print. Bhatt, Vipul. "Tough Love and International Altruism." Http://www.sabanciuniv.edu. N.p., 20 Nov. 2008. Web. 30 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sabanciuniv.edu/HaberlerDuyurular/Documents/DD20090324180149/ogaki.pdf>. McKay, Gary D., and Don C. Dinkmeyer. "Raising a Responsible Child: Practical Steps to Successful Family Relationships." Raising a Responsible Child: Practical Steps to Successful Family Relationships (1973): n. pag. Web. 30 Nov. 2012.