Parent’s Relationship and its Effect on Child

Author – Nafisha Ara Begum

(Author is currently an Intern at PsychSpace and a student of B. A Psychology 6^th semester, Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati)

For every child, his/her parents are microcosm. They are likely the first people the child has contact with. The parents become the safe space for the child through which he/she can explore the world. Therefore, the relationship between the parents greatly influences the child and the subsequent relationship that he/she builds with others. Emotional stability is likely to be observed in children who witness a harmonious and loving relationship between their parents. A positive family relationship is the foundation for healthy emotional expression, conflict resolution and empathy.

Children in their formative years have little or almost no notion of what is right or wrong. What he/she sees at home becomes the structural basis of how he/she perceives things in the future. A child who sees his/her mother being the victim of domestic violence might take it as a norm of how marital relationship works. For example, Ram has always seen his father ignoring his mother’s opinion by saying “what do you know? you are not qualified enough to teach me.” As Ram grows up, he too would ignore his mother’s words thinking it’s not important enough. Subsequently he would behave the same way as his significant other in the future.

Research has shown that a healthy and supportive parental relationship can have a positive impact on a child’s well-being, while conflicts or instability between parents can lead to adverse effects. Parental interactions have a great level of impact on a child’s social development. Children who grow up in a communicative and supportive environment are better able to make strong connections and maintain positive relationships with others. On the other hand, exposure to parental discontent or conflict can cause behavioural problems and make it harder to build trustworthy connections.

The relationship between parents and their children directly impacts the child’s sense of confidence and self-worth. Higher self-esteem and a good self-image are more common in children who are raised in a caring and respectful setting. Observing unfavourable relationships or confrontations may make the child feel insecure and question their value. A child who is forced to take sides during parents’ arguments might feel guilty and blame the cause on themselves.

The emotional, social, and cognitive development of a child is greatly influenced by how they interact with their parents. Positive outcomes for children can be fostered in a supportive and loving setting, whereas bad family dynamics may lead to a variety of difficulties throughout their life. Given the significance of parental connections, it is crucial for parents to collaborate in order to foster an environment that is encouraging and courteous, enhancing both their own relationship and the general wellbeing of their child.