Violent behavior and positive parenting

Abstract

PurposeThe majority of child, sibling, dating, intimate partner, spousal and elder abuse and bullying interventions have as a primary goal the cessation of physical assaults. However, too many contemporary domestic violence efforts are reactionary, most occur following the use of physical assaults or after coercive behavior is exhibited and almost all do not begin until school age or much later. Recent research suggests that children express anger and use aggression soon after birth and that children are physically able and use physical assaults before age one. Children also obtain understandings about social interactions and have ideas about causal relationships before age four. This paper aims to consider these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe author gives a viewpoint on violent behavior and the effect of positive parenting, based on research in the USA.FindingsAll 50 states in the USA allow the use of physical assaults by parents and guardians against children with the goal of behavioral modification. To end the use of physical assaults regardless of age, gender or sexual orientation, all uses of physical assaults must be replaced with positive guidance and role modeling that condemns not condones the use of physical assaults.Originality/valueThese lessons must be role modeled, not lectured and begin the day children are born.