Parenting Styles Can Influence Dishonesty In Kids When They Become Adults, Study Says

Children learn values from their parents and some approaches to parenting could influence them to demonstrate dishonest behaviors as adults. A new study has revealed certain parenting styles children have been accustomed to has predisposed them to dishonesty. This reflects on their work ethics or relationships with other people when they are older.

Researchers from Canada enlisted 767 respondents for their study via Queendom. They were asked a series of questions about parenting styles they were exposed to growing up. Researchers broke their findings down to four most common parenting styles: authoritarian, permissive, neglectful or uninvolved and authoritative.

Authoritarian parents teach their kids a good sense of what's right and wrong and they are likely to follow orders. For children raised using this approach, however, it also means following rules without voicing complaints.

Children get a sense of injustice with this parenting style because even their good behavior isn't rewarded or acknowledged. As adults, kids of authoritarian parents are the ones likely to steal something from the office, or take unauthorized breaks, or view people with cynicism.

Permissive parents are supportive of their children. They provide a lenient environment where the kids have the freedom to do what they want. When these children become working adults, however, they could end up struggling with boundaries of office policies. They also have a strong sense of entitlement, hence they won't likely be relied on upon overtime work.

Children raised by neglectful and uninvolved parents not only lack support, love and care, they also haven't been taught rules and boundaries early on. Thus as adults, they are likely to be deceitful at work and won't have problems with breaking the rules.

Authoritative parents, on the other hand, provide the right mix of rules and freedom. With this approach, children learn what's right and wrong, as well as the consequences of breaking rules. Thus as adults, they are less likely to be dishonest than their counterparts.

"A parent's approach to rules, rule-breaking and mischievous behavior, in general, can have a significant impact on children's behavior when they become adults," Dr. Ilona Jerabek of Psych Test said as the study has shown, according to the press release. "There are more advantages to rearing children in an environment that offer a well-balanced blend of love and discipline," she added.