Why Some Parents Are Overly Strict: Understanding the Parent-Child Dynamics

I cannot say this explicitly to many people's liking, but in truth, the reality is stark. Outside of your immediate family, no one truly cares about you. Sure, I care, and I hope you're well. But if you end up homeless, it won't keep me awake at night. I have friends out there who are homeless, and while I do what I can, it's beyond my capacity to deal with everyone's problems. This harsh truth might hurt, but it's the reality many of us face.

Your parents are in the business of ensuring your safety, particularly until you reach a level of maturity where you can start making your own choices. While you might wish to venture out and explore your own path, your brain is not yet fully developed to handle the complexities of independent decision-making until the age of 30. This part of the brain that deals with reasoning, planning, and judgment is still maturing, making strict parenting a necessity to guide and protect you.

Is Strict Parenting Appropriate?

Some parents apply strict rules in their household for reasons that are rooted in their cultural, social, or familial context. Perhaps you live in a small community or religious group where strict parenting is the norm. In these settings, parental restrictions on activities like going online or engaging with the opposite sex are put in place to protect you from potential risks posed by the outside world.

These restrictions, while strict, are often strategic decisions made to safeguard you from dangers that your developing mind and character may not yet be equipped to handle independently. For instance, internet safety is a crucial concern, as young individuals are vulnerable to online exploitation. like preventing internet access blocks by blocking these risks.

Breaking the Cycle

While it might be challenging to change the ways your parents choose to raise you, you can still break the cycle and aim to be a better parent to your children based on your experiences. A simple rule I followed - allowing your child to do anything you can't explain why it's not allowed - worked very well for me and my daughter. This approach fosters open communication and trust, rather than enforcing rigid rules.

By establishing clear, understandable reasons for restrictions and maintaining open lines of communication, you can ensure that you're providing guidance and support in a way that resonates with the values and maturity levels of your children. If your parents are overly strict, it doesn't mean you have to follow their methods blindly; instead, learn from their experiences and apply them in a way that suits your circumstances.

Conclusion

The relationship between parents and children is complex, and while it's natural for parents to want to protect their children, it's equally important for teens to develop the skills and maturity to navigate the world independently. Understanding the underlying reasons for strict parenting can help mitigate tensions and foster a more supportive and understanding relationship between parent and child.