Theme: Poor Parenting
Topic: accentuating its severity and the detrimental effects it has on the psychological and
behavioural development of adolescents (ages 14 – 18).
Research Variable: Independent: Poor Parenting / Dependent: The effects on the
psychological and behavioural development of adolescents.
Discussion of first secondary source: According to a news article from NBC News, which is
my first Secondary Source, “parents with multiple adverse events were more than likely to value
corporal punishment”. NBC News interviewed 62 parents of young children and based on their
results, concluded that parents who were abused in their childhood are more than likely to
abuse their child/children. They have also discovered that the 75% of children from the
interviewed parents, have already suffered at least one type of abuse. The article also
mentions that the children affected will face social and behavioral issues in their adult life,
which will prevent them from making and maintaining relationships.
Evaluation of Secondary: The author of this article is Maggie Fox. She is a Senior Editor for
NBC News and the title of the article was “Poor Parenting passed from generation to
generation”. It was retrieved from the NBC News website, and they are known for their
factual and unbiased news. Maggie Fox interviewed the parents along with clinical doctors
who were experts in the field, which makes the information reliable. The sample was
publicized in May of 2016 and was mostly focused on the United States.
Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/poor-parenting-can-be-passedgeneration-generation-study-n566036
Discussion of second Secondary source: My second Secondary Source is a recently released
government research report done by doctors, that stated that maltreatment can cause fear,
distrust and isolation in children. It also proves that there is a link between child abuse and
certain psychological defects. E.g., the Maltreatment of children can diminish their cognitive
skills and self-reliance. According to Dr Kavanaugh, Dupont-Frechette, Jersey, & Holle,
maltreatment can cause brain deformities that prevent the child from developing empathy,
self-control, self – discipline. These deformities follow the child into adulthood, and by then,
they would’ve been too far developed to be corrected. The article states that affected
children also suffer from attachment and social difficulties. These difficulties are mostly caused
by neglect, as that child is more likely to become antisocial during their transition into
adulthood. The behavioural defects caused by poor parenting can range from juvenile
delinquency, which leads to adult criminality, alcohol and drug use as a coping method and
future projection of maltreatment. The article states that adults who were victims of emotional
and mental abuse have a higher chance of becoming societal defects and criminals. They also
use drugs and alcohol to cope with the PTSD from the trauma they have suffered, which
further leads them down a road of depression, anxiety and suicidal tendencies.
Evaluation: The author of this article is Child Welfare Information Gateway and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Children’s Bureau. The title of the article was “The Long Term Consequences of child abuse and
neglect”. It was retrieved from the Child Welfare Information website and the information was
very factual as the government bureau in charge of human services of children is expected to
be experts in the field as the first line of information. The article was published in 2019 and
was specified to be towards the United States of America. The article is reputable and the
medium channel is permanent.
Link:https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/long_term_consequences.pdf
Discussion of primary source: My primary source was a street interview with the people of
Mitchell Town, a small community located in southeast Clarendon. Five females and five males
were interviewed. The females ranged from age 17 to 54, and the males ranged from age
19 to 48. The interview consisted of 10 questions based on parenting style, parent-child
relationship development and parent responsibility. 40% of respondents believed that
corporal punishment was the wrong direction to take as it relates to discipline and that their
parenting styles encourage their child to become an incorporated member of society. 25% of
the remaining respondents were clueless as it relates to their parenting style and the
relationship they have with their child, but they do believe that parental duties should always
be fulfilled as it relates to clothing, food, shelter and schooling. The last 35% did not care for
their child’s endeavours and are only fulfilling the minimum duty required by law until that
child is 18.
Evaluation of Primary source: The primary resource was obtained from the people of
Mitchell Town. The interviewees were either parents or grandparents with experience in taking
care of children. The medium would not be permanent, as parenting styles change with a
parent’s mind-set. The primary source represents original thinking and experiences due to the
range of the age groups and the interviewees were allowed to express themselves in
whichever manner they pleased. The street interview was conducted on April 4, 2022.
Structured questions for Street Interview
1. What are your beliefs on using Corporal Punishment on adolescents as a disciplinary
measure?
2. Do you believe that a Parent’s approach to their child’s delinquency, has any
correlation to the child’s psychological development?
3. What are your views on children protecting their mental health, even if that means
defying their parent’s orders?
4. Is generational trauma caused by poor parenting, a leading cause in the recent
school incidents and fatalities?
5. On a scale of 1 - 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best, what approach do
you think parents are taking to ensure and solidify the safety of their child?
6. What are your views on poor parenting and its correlation with the disintegration of
societal norms and values?
7. How are you protecting your child’s mental health?
8. Is the lawlessness of adolescents in present day, a direct cause of neglect in the
home?
9. There has been a spike in child suicide rates in the past 2 years. How are you
protecting and engaging with your child to prevent these outcomes?
10. Do you believe that abusive, manipulative and neglectful parents are the main cause
for so many young adults and adolescents turning to a life of crime?