#PositiveDiscipline

As the long Thai school holidays approach, a wave of questions arises about the way parents handle everyday misbehavior in young children. A recent discussion ignited by the article “Why shouldn’t we call children ‘naughty’?” from The Spectator challenges the conventional wisdom of using labels like “naughty” to describe children’s bad behavior. The apparent simplicity of the term belies its potential to shape a child’s developing sense of self and influence the way children respond to authority, discipline, and emotional challenges—not just in Western societies but also within Thai families adjusting to modern parenting philosophies.

A long Thai school break is prompting fresh debates on how parents respond to small preschool missteps. The discussion around labeling children as “naughty” has sparked a wider conversation about language, discipline, and a child’s developing sense of self—topics that matter to Thai families navigating modern parenting while honoring traditional values.

Labeling a young child as naughty can do more than momentary shaming. Repeated labels shape self-identity and influence how children respond to authority and regulate emotions. A senior child psychologist notes that internalizing a negative label can lead a child to think “I am bad,” potentially fueling ongoing behavioral challenges. Language, therefore, can influence long-term behavior, not only immediate compliance.

A wave of new research challenges the idea that misbehavior rests mainly with children. Instead, experts emphasize the pivotal role of parents and how upbringing shapes behavior. This trend, echoed by scientific studies across 2025, suggests family dynamics—parental attitudes, actions, and discipline methods—greatly influence a child’s conduct. The findings are prompting renewed reflection among Thai families and educators who have long leaned toward strict discipline.

Historically, child misbehavior has been seen as a matter of will or character. Recent international studies, however, indicate behaviors are significantly shaped by the home environment. The argument is that parental behavior and emotional climate can map directly onto a child’s conduct and well-being. Notably, a media feature from a major British outlet highlighted experts who warn against blaming children in isolation and call for examining parenting patterns instead.

A new wave of parenting advice and research is shifting the conversation on child discipline away from the old routines of yelling, power struggles, and punitive punishments. Recent insights—such as those summarized in a widely shared Times of India feature on “10 ways to discipline kids without drama”—echo a growing international and Thai trend toward positive discipline, advocating calm, constructive, and emotionally supportive methods. This shift is not merely a lifestyle fad, but increasingly grounded in research and real-world outcomes that appeal to parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to foster emotionally resilient, responsible children.

A growing wave of research and practical guidance is reshaping how parents approach child discipline. Calm, constructive, and emotionally supportive methods are replacing loud arguing, power struggles, and punitive punishments. International coverage and Thai public guidance alike highlight positive discipline as a reliable path to emotionally resilient and well-behaved children.

For Thai families, changing family structures, rising stress levels, and evolving views on parent-child relationships heighten the demand for nonshaming approaches that still foster good behavior. Across the globe, studies show that positive discipline—built on empathy, natural consequences, and clear communication—strengthens family bonds and supports long-term development. Thailand’s education and health authorities have begun integrating similar strategies into official guidance and early childhood curricula, making these practices highly relevant for both urban and rural households.

A growing rise in gentle, respectful parenting is challenging physical and verbal punishment of children worldwide. In England, the debate has renewed focus on child rights, parental stress, and how laws reflect evolving attitudes. For Thai readers, this discourse prompts reflection on Thailand’s own traditions, laws, and approaches to discipline.

Traditional discipline has long circulated in many societies, often framed as “tough love” or necessary guidance. In 2025, social media moments have shown parents using infamous phrases, with children offering surprisingly loving, constructive replies. These viral exchanges illustrate a broad shift: parents are increasingly seeking alternatives to punitive methods, guided by research on long-term psychological effects. Research by major institutions highlights how negative parenting can shape self-worth and resilience.

A rising tide of modern parenting is directly challenging the physical and verbal punishment of children, igniting new debates about child rights, parental stress, and the legal status of corporal punishment worldwide—including in England, where the issue has come under fresh scrutiny. As discussion grows following high-profile endorsements of gentle, respectful parenting, Thai families and policymakers may find themselves reflecting on the country’s own traditions, laws, and cultural attitudes toward discipline.

A growing number of Thai parents and teachers are turning to positive discipline, guided by global research that favors guidance over punishment. Grounded in decades of child psychology, these approaches aim for healthier emotional development, stronger family bonds, and better classroom engagement. The shift reflects rising awareness of children’s rights in Thailand and echoes a broader international move toward compassionate, evidence-based parenting.

Positive discipline centers on teaching and guiding rather than scolding or physical punishment. Practices include setting clear expectations, praising constructive behavior, redirecting misbehavior, and fostering problem-solving skills. Rather than shouting, adults model calm communication, establish routines, and respond with empathy and firm boundaries.

Growing numbers of Thai parents and teachers are exploring new approaches to managing children’s behaviour, as recent research and global guidance champion ‘positive discipline’ techniques over outdated punishment-based methods. Grounded in decades of child psychology studies, these gentler strategies promise not just better results at home and in the classroom, but also healthier emotional development and stronger family bonds. The trend aligns with rising awareness in Thailand about children’s rights and well-being, mirroring a global shift that could signal significant cultural change.

A growing body of evidence has prompted leading child development and neuroscience experts to urgently warn lawmakers that parental shouting and verbal abuse can alter a child’s developing brain, with potentially lifelong mental health consequences. Experts delivered this message in a briefing to UK MPs, sparking renewed calls for policy action and broader public awareness of verbal maltreatment, which is now being recognized as a significant—and prevalent—form of child abuse.

A growing body of neuroscience and child-development research warns that verbal abuse from parents can alter a child’s developing brain and affect mental health for years. Leading experts shared these findings with policymakers in the UK, prompting renewed calls for action and broader public awareness about verbal maltreatment as a serious form of child abuse.

For Thai families, educators, and society, the message is clear: emotional safety is as crucial as physical safety for a child’s growth. In Thailand, where respect for elders and hierarchical family dynamics are deeply rooted, language used at home, in temples, and in classrooms can profoundly influence a child’s self-worth, relationships, and resilience.

A recent feature from a major Indian publication offers practical, research-backed strategies for parents dealing with children who don’t listen. The article compiles current psychology insights and translates them into actionable steps for modern families, making it a timely resource for Thai households navigating busy urban life.

In Thailand, changes in family structure and city schedules heighten the need for clear, compassionate communication. Child development experts emphasize that cooperation grows from connection and mutual respect, not punishment. The Times of India piece aligns with global research showing that calm, consistent, and empathetic approaches lead to stronger, longer-lasting parent–child bonds.

A global conversation is sharpening around parenting styles that are often seen as normal or strict. Psychologists warn that excessive control, harsh discipline, and emotional distance can harm children’s emotional health and long-term development. Research summarized in mainstream sources indicates that authoritarian approaches may undermine resilience, while balanced, warm guidance supports better outcomes for children.

In Thailand, where respect for elders and family hierarchy are deeply rooted, parenting practices are especially scrutinized. Traditional Thai norms have often favored strictness and high expectations. Now experts emphasize that warmth, dialogue, and clear boundaries are essential for healthy child development, aligning with evolving Thai educational and mental health priorities.

A wave of international concern is building as psychologists and child development experts warn that a commonly practiced parenting style, sometimes seen as “normal” or “strict,” can actually have lasting negative effects on children. According to a recent report in the New York Post, this approach—characterized by excessive control, harsh discipline, and a lack of emotional warmth—may undermine children’s emotional health and long-term wellbeing NY Post.

Parenting is a sensitive topic across cultures, especially as the foundations laid in early childhood often shape a person’s capabilities, relationships, and mental resilience. In Thailand, where cultural values around respect for elders and family hierarchy are deeply ingrained, the conversation on parenting practices is especially relevant. Traditional Thai parenting sometimes leans toward strictness and high expectations, echoing aspects of the style that experts are now cautioning against.