Rethinking Parental Language: Study Reveals Five Toxic Phrases That Make Children Refuse to Listen
A new wave of research on effective parenting sheds light on an issue as old as parenthood itself: why children refuse to listen. A recent report by a leading expert in conscious parenting, published by CNBC on June 22, 2025, argues that the root cause may be far more subtle than outright rebellion — rooted instead in the very language adults use when communicating with young people (CNBC).
For Thai parents — and educators and caregivers — the findings underscore the importance of respectful, emotionally intelligent communication in nurturing the next generation. With research based on over 200 parent-child relationships, the core message is clear: common ’toxic’ phrases, while often habitual, tend to trigger defensiveness and lower cooperation among children. The study promotes a shift in parental language, advocating for phrases that foster autonomy and emotional validation rather than compliance born out of fear or shame.