#HealthyCommunication

New research warns that the silent treatment—when parents withdraw communication to punish or correct a child—can cause deep, lasting emotional harm. Experts say silence can teach children to fear conflict, undermine emotional resilience, and foster shame and uncertainty. In contrast, open, emotionally safe dialogue supports healthy development.

The findings resonate with Thai families navigating generational differences. As Thai children increasingly engage with global educational perspectives, studies encourage a shift from punitive silence to constructive, calm communication in both homes and schools. This aligns with Thailand’s emphasis on family harmony while recognizing the importance of emotional well-being in learning.

A wave of recent research warns that the silent treatment—when parents intentionally withdraw communication to punish or correct their children—may be among the severest forms of emotional discipline, leading to deep, enduring harm. Parenting experts and psychologists caution that such silence can teach children to fear conflict, undermine emotional resilience, and sow a legacy of shame and uncertainty. Instead, practitioners and new studies argue that open, emotionally safe communication is critical for supporting healthy child development (AOL; CNBC).