A wave of new research is challenging the conventional wisdom blaming children for misbehavior, instead placing primary responsibility squarely on parents and their upbringing strategies. According to a recent report by The Telegraph, and echoed by a range of scientific studies emerging in 2025, experts contend that a child’s behavioral problems can often be traced back to factors within the family environment, particularly parental attitudes, actions, and discipline methods. This revelation is sparking renewed debate and reflection in Thai households and educational circles, where traditional approaches have long favored strict discipline toward children who act out.
Children’s misbehavior has traditionally been framed as an issue of willpower or character, but recent international studies suggest these behaviors are greatly influenced – if not directly caused – by parents’ own behavior, parenting style, and sometimes even their unresolved trauma. One such report, “Don’t Blame Children Who Misbehave, It’s the Parents’ Fault” from The Telegraph, cites leading psychologists arguing that blaming children ignores the foundational role parents play in a child’s emotional and behavioral development (The Telegraph).
This is a concept with deep practical implications for Thai families. Parenting in Thailand has been shaped by respect for authority and an emphasis on obedience to elders, values reflected in both the home and at school. Yet, as parental influence comes under closer scrutiny globally, these norms are starting to be re-examined in the light of scientific evidence. In Thailand, where extended families often share child-rearing responsibilities, the findings raise questions about the broader influence of grandparents and other elders.
Key studies highlight how parenting styles, especially those high in warmth and structure, are linked to better behavioral outcomes for children. According to a 2025 study featured in Medical Xpress, parental warmth, especially from mothers, has lifelong benefits for children’s mental health, shaping perceptions of social safety and emotional resilience (Medical Xpress). Conversely, a lack of warmth or the use of harsh disciplinary tactics has been found to increase the likelihood of disruptive or problematic behavior, a pattern confirmed even across various cultural settings.
Further, a PubMed database review found that negative or rejecting parenting styles fuel negative behaviors such as cyberbullying among college students, reinforcing the crucial role played by the family environment in shaping social conduct (PubMed). Another 2025 study out of China analyzed maternal behavioral profiles in rural households and linked certain parenting behaviors to developmental outcomes in early childhood, underscoring the cross-cultural relevance of these findings.
Expert perspectives continue to clarify the picture. One child development researcher, quoted in Medical Xpress, states: “Children don’t misbehave in a vacuum. Much of their conduct can be directly mapped onto the behaviors and emotional signals they’re experiencing at home.” These observations are echoed in Thai educational policy discussions, with educational psychologists affiliated with major Thai universities noting that, “efforts at behavioral correction in schools often fail when home environments reinforce the very behaviors teachers are trying to address.”
Beyond direct parental action, genetics and inherited behaviors also play a role, as Science Daily reported in May 2025 (Science Daily), but researchers consistently argue that ‘nature’ rarely acts alone. The interplay between inherited temperament and parental emotional climate shapes how children respond to stress, discipline, and social pressures.
In the Thai context, these findings have immediate relevance. Many Thai parents may recall being raised in a context where scolding or physical punishment was considered a show of love or a tool for shaping good character. Yet, as more research emerges, the detrimental effects of harsh disciplinary styles – including increased risk of anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior – have led Thai authorities to reconsider the merits of these traditional approaches. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has begun collaborating with regional education offices to introduce positive discipline training and family counseling in select provinces.
Historical and cultural values still shape parenting approaches in Thailand, with Buddhist principles like mindfulness and compassion encouraging parents toward patience and emotional regulation. The blending of these values with modern psychology may be key to improving child outcomes. In urban Thailand, especially in Bangkok, progressive parents are increasingly turning to seminars on positive parenting or seeking guidance from child psychologists, a trend reflected in the growth of parent forums and parenting clubs.
The future of parenting is also being shaped by digital influences. With children spending more time online, a new layer of parental responsibility has emerged. A 2025 PubMed study found links between parental rejection and involvement in cyberbullying, indicating that the lessons children absorb at home manifest in both physical and virtual spaces.
Thai educational leaders are watching these developments closely. There is robust discussion among school directors and child development specialists about incorporating parental education into the school curriculum. A senior official at the Ministry of Education has remarked, “In order to sustainably address behavioral problems among students, schools must work in partnership with families and communities, not in isolation.”
Looking ahead, several forward-thinking school networks in Thailand are piloting “home-school agreements” where parents commit to specific positive parenting guidelines. These agreements include regular check-ins with school counselors, workshops on emotional communication, and access to parenting support groups. The hope is that by addressing the root causes of behavioral issues at home, schools will see fewer disciplinary problems and better academic outcomes.
For Thai readers, these findings offer powerful takeaways. Breakthroughs in behavioral psychology invite a moment of reflection for families, educators, and policymakers alike. The science now strongly supports prioritizing empathy, structure, warmth, and positive reinforcement, rather than reactivity or blame when children misbehave. Practical steps include seeking out local resources such as family support centers or enrolling in free positive parenting workshops now offered in several provinces.
As global research and Thai experience intertwine, the message is clear: children’s behavior reflects their environment, and that environment is shaped first and foremost by parents and caregivers. Rather than placing the burden of misbehavior solely on children, it is time for a societal shift – one that supports and educates parents, so that Thailand’s children can thrive.
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