Introduction
The relationship between parenting styles and a child’s involvement in bullying, whether as a victim or perpetrator, is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While numerous factors contribute to the widespread occurrence of bullying, a child’s behavior is significantly shaped by their parents’ styles of upbringing. Parenting styles play a significant role in a child being bullied or bullying others, as they shape the child’s behavior and social skills.
Parenting and Bullying
Parenting styles can inadvertently encourage or discourage bullying behavior in children. Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth, responsiveness, and a fair degree of control, is less likely to result in children who bully or get bullied (“Bullying prevention,” 2021). Conversely, authoritarian or permissive parenting, marked by high control and low warmth or low control and high warmth, respectively, may foster an environment conducive to bullying. Children from such households might either become bullies to exert the power they lack at home or victims because they lack the necessary assertiveness.
Development and Bullying
According to Jean Piaget, a child’s moral development progresses through two stages: the heteronomous and the autonomous stage. In the heteronomous stage (usually from 4-7 years), children perceive rules as inflexible and imposed by authorities (Carpendale et al., 2021). If a child is stuck in this stage, they might resort to bullying as they perceive it as an acceptable form of exerting control. However, in the autonomous stage (from around 10 years and older), children recognize that rules can be flexible and changed by social agreement (Carpendale et al., 2021). They understand the concept of fairness and mutual respect. Thus, children in this stage are less likely to engage in bullying behavior as they understand its implications for others.
Conclusion
Overall, parenting styles play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s behavior, including their potential to engage in or fall victim to bullying. Furthermore, Piaget’s theory of moral development offers valuable insights into understanding why children might resort to bullying. It underlines the importance of nurturing moral development in children and fostering a parenting style that discourages bullying. Therefore, while bullying may be a common occurrence, it is not an inevitable one and can be mitigated through informed parenting and emphasis on moral development.
References
Carpendale, J. I., Parnell, V. L., & Wallbridge, B. (2021). Conceptualizations of knowledge in structuring approaches to moral development: A process-relational approach. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 756654. Web.
Bullying prevention for parents of middle school students. (2021). Stopbullying. Web.