Parenting styles and family dynamics influence both the present and future well-being of family members The family is one of the most important socializing agents in the development of a person, if not the most.
Homes in which there is a balance benefit the mental health of their members, but this is not always the case There are unstructured homes that cause disruption and great discomfort to their members. Below you can find a list of the main causes of a toxic home.
1. Addiction
Parents are the main socializing agents of children, from birth until they become adults. They are role models and are necessary especially at an early age and, therefore, a good parenting style will positively affect the development of a child.
Although there are many parents who give everything for their children, this is not always the case. Some have harmful behaviors not only towards themselves, but also towards their family environment Addiction is, without a doubt, one of the worst evils that a human being can suffer, which also affects the entire family that lives with an addict (whether to gambling or drugs).
An addicted father will cause financial problems for the family and constant conflicts. And the consequences in the family nucleus are numerous, for example, domestic violence or poor parental education.
Communication is key in any relationship, whether it is a couple, friends, or parents to children. The correct expression of feelings and needs, listening correctly to the needs of the children or being clear when explaining the reasons for some family rules influence the climate that can be experienced in a family. Poor communication not only creates conflicts, but also makes it difficult to resolve them.
3. Excess control
Overly controlling parents cause serious problems for their children and make their relationship with their partner difficult The controlling parenting style uses very strict rules in the family, encouraging obedience and decreasing the well-being of the members. In the case of parents, this parenting style can manifest itself, for example, when they do not let their children go to school events, nor do they allow them to assume responsibilities appropriate to their age. They are usually parents who instill fear in other family members so that they obey them.
4. Abuses
Abuse does not have to be physical, but can also be psychological For example, by insulting, manipulating, or verbally belittling other family members. Abuse is one of the worst family behaviors, which makes families dysfunctional.
5. Lack of consistency in standards
As I have mentioned, parents are role models within the family, and when they do not comply with the rules, it is difficult for the children to do so. It is important that there is consistency when demanding that children comply with certain rules For example, if the teenagers in the family are asked not to use their mobile phones at the table, it is not good for parents to be the first to spend the entire meal hooked on the mobile device.
Overly perfectionistic parents create dysfunctional families, because their expectations about what the family is and what it should be are unrealistic. Perfectionism is not positive at all, neither at the family nor at the individual level.
7. Overly demanding parents
And perfectionist parents tend to be very demanding, which makes their children feel great frustration when they don’t get what they want. Low tolerance for frustration is characteristic of people with low emotional intelligence and those who enjoy a low level of well-being.
8. Authoritarianism and low tolerance
Authoritarian parents make their children behave in certain ways without taking their needs into account and emotions. They tend to be intolerant and inflexible people and make the rest of the family members feel bad. They are prone to aggression, and are characterized by promoting a dysfunctional parenting style.
9. Unaffectionate families
Human beings need affection and we need to be loved, especially from our family. When this does not occur, psychological problems can be devastating when it comes to having close relationships with other people. In these cases, the effect on the emotional level of the family members and their well-being will also be. Appropriate communication of emotions and displays of affection are necessary for a non-toxic home.
10. Excess protectionism
However, Excess affection is not beneficial, as it can create weak personalities just like excess protectionism Pampered and overprotected children become people who lack coping and problem-solving skills.
You can read our article “Overprotected Children: 6 Educational Mistakes That Harm Them” to learn more about this phenomenon.
