Positive & Negative Influences of Parents on Their Children

Emotional Growth

• Parents have a direct impact upon the emotional development of a child, which includes a child̵7;s ability to bond with others, manage her own personal feelings, understand other people̵7;s feelings and interact positively with others. Children who experience affection and nurturing from their parents have opportunities to observe and demonstrate healthy expressions of emotions, and are exposed to healthy family values that make them better able to cope with life̵7;s issues and demands than children who don̵7;t.

Social Development

• The family unit provides a child with her first opportunities to perceive and develop socialization patterns. Children raised by two loving, involved parents who consistently demonstrate love, responsibility, dedication and respect for family members learn healthy behaviors and flourish in early social development. Problems within the family structure, such as substance abuse, violence and divorce, on the other hand, exert a negative influence on children̵7;s social development. Poor problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, behavioral issues and other social development difficulties are often the result of persistent familial problems.

Physical Health

• Both Duke Health and Yale Medical Group acknowledge that parents have a direct influence on children̵7;s exercise and nutrition. According to Duke Health, kids are more likely to be physically active and establish healthy eating habits when they have regular encouragement from parents who also model these healthy behaviors. On the other hand, parents who are not physically active and have unhealthy eating habits can negatively influence their children̵7;s physical health. Although genetics plays a role in child obesity, a child of overweight parents, who demonstrate poor diet and exercise habits, is at an increased risk for obesity, according to Yale Medical Group.

Academic Success

• Whether or not parents are involved in their children̵7;s education makes a big difference in the kind of influence they will have on their kids̵7; academic achievement. Parents who offer their children academic guidance and support in schooling have a positive influence on student grades, self-esteem, attendance and graduation rates. They also help decrease their children̵7;s risk of turning to drugs, alcohol and violence when in school, according to research compiled by the Michigan Department of Education. Children of uninvolved parents, however, tend to have a lack of direction and little motivation to succeed in school, which hinders academic achievement. Ways to get involved include providing children with home learning opportunities, studying with children, checking homework, attending school events, encouraging progress and setting academic expectations for children.