THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF OVERLY OBEDIENT CHILDREN

Most parents prefer obedient children, but there are some negative effects of

over-obedience. The ( authority ) ………………………. parenting style is most

associated with overly obedient children; this style is typically ( character )

………………………. with a lack of parent-child communication. If you demand

complete compliance from your children without ( give ) ………………… them any

room to ask questions or form opinions, they might have a difficult time learning

these things as they get ( old ) ………………………. .

Acting Out

Young children may take the demand of obedience ( good ) ……………….., without opting for

alternative options, but this might not be the case with pre-teens and teenagers. ( Rebel ) ………………..

to some extent is common in many children, but in families where children ( not / allow )

………………………… to have any say in their lives, rebellion may come sooner and be more severe.

Defiance may be passive or aggressive and can take many forms. Some children choose to lash out at

their parents with arguments or by ( defy ) ………………….. the rules. Others go to greater lengths by

involving ( oneself ) ……………………. in delinquent acts, such as truancy, fights or crime.

Independence

Children who are overly obedient may find it difficult to show independence, because others are

always telling them what to do and how ( think ) ……………………. . A child must be able to develop

his own ( person ) …………………… and opinions in order to become increasingly independent.

Learning the consequences to actions and having the ability to say “no” establishes the idea of power and

independence that will follow your child into ( adult ) …………………. . Otherwise, the child ( learn )

…………………… to be helpless and dependent on others.

Social Skills

In some cases, the development of social skills will be more complicated in overly obedient children

because they ( worry ) ……………………. excessively about what others think of them or want from

them. ( Diminish ) ……………………. self-respect is a common result of over-obedience, because

children learn ( not / believe ) ………………………… in themselves and to never second-guess the

motives of others. This, along with feeling ( comfort ) ……………………….. in all social situations,

makes the further acquisition of social skills even more difficult than it normally is for children.

Obedience with Others

While obedience is to be ( many ) ………………… expected with parents, other caregivers and

teachers, it ( not / require ) ……………………… with friends, random acquaintances or strangers. At

times, children who have not been taught the difference between individuals who require obedience and

those who do not extend their compliance to others. This can lead to being bullied, dominated or

negatively ( influence ) ……………………….. by friends or other children and

( take ) …………………………. advantage of or abused by adults and older children.

KEYMost parents prefer obedient children, but there are some negative effects of over-

obedience. The authoritarian parenting style is most associated with overly obedient

children; this style is typically characterized with a lack of parent-child communication. If

you demand complete compliance from your children without giving them any room to ask

questions or form opinions, they might have a difficult time learning these things as they

get older.

Acting Out

Young children may take the demand of obedience well, without opting for alternative options, but this might

not be the case with pre-teens and teenagers. Rebelliousness to some extent is common in many children, but in

families where children are not allowed to have any say in their lives, rebellion may come sooner and be more

severe. Defiance may be passive or aggressive and can take many forms. Some children choose to lash out at their

parents with arguments or by defying the rules. Others go to greater lengths by involving themselves in delinquent

acts, such as truancy, fights or crime.

Independence

Children who are overly obedient may find it difficult to show independence, because others are always telling

them what to do and how to think. A child must be able to develop his own personality and opinions in order to

become increasingly independent. Learning the consequences to actions and having the ability to say “no”

establishes the idea of power and independence that will follow your child into adulthood. Otherwise, the child

will learn to be helpless and dependent on others.

Social Skills

In some cases, the development of social skills will be more complicated in overly obedient children because

they will worry excessively about what others think of them or want from them. Diminished self-respect is a

common result of over-obedience, because children learn to not believe in themselves and to never second-guess

the motives of others. This, along with feeling uncomfortable in all social situations, makes the further acquisition

of social skills even more difficult than it normally is for children.

Obedience with Others

While obedience is to be mostly expected with parents, other caregivers and teachers, it is not required with

friends, random acquaintances or strangers. At times, children who have not been taught the difference between

individuals who require obedience and those who do not extend their compliance to others. This can lead to being

bullied, dominated or negatively influenced by friends or other children and being taken

advantage of or abused by adults and older children.