Parental Pressure....again..haha?

Question

okay..In varying degrees, parental pressure and expectations are common among all children (regardless of their age). What are some of the benefits and the drawbacks to parental expectations? thats what im asking?! thanks guys in advance.!

Answer 1

Benefits: It inspires you to do the best you can.

Drawbacks: Stress from the fear of not being able to live up to their expectations.

Answer 2

I agree...there is a difference between "pressure" and "expectations".  Do I expect my son to do his best?  Of course.  Do I pressure him to give more than he's able?  No way.  

I believe realistic parental expectations are healthy for a child to have; it teaches them consistency, responsibility, and independence.  Without these expectations, a child is basically left to raise themselves - they have to create their own expectations based on what they see out in a world they don't yet fully understand.

Pressure, on the other hand, can be harmful.  There are parents who, very unrealistically, pressure their children to go beyond their limits.  This causes stress, family division, medical problems, depression, and everything that comes with them.  

Parents often walk a very fine line until they really get to know their kids; almost all of us truly want the best for our kids, but each one is different, and we need to be able to adjust our expectations to meet the abilities and personalities of our children.

Answer 3

I think there's a difference between parental "pressure" and "expectations," perhaps just a difference in degree. If parents set reasonable expectations (put in the effort, don't keep moldy food under your bed, contribute some positive effort to your home/community), that doesn't translate into "pressure" to me. But if parents have expectations that reflect their own personalities ("I want you to be a lawyer") rather than acknowledging that their kids are independent beings with their own natures, that's pressure... When someone wants you to be something other than what arises from your own inner being, that's a real drawback. But when parents set expectations that encourage/support kids to discover & develop their own interests & inclinations, that's a real benefit.

Answer 4

I guess some of the benefits are;

-it pushes you to prove them what you can do.

-When you have parental expectations, it sets you a goal, and i guess in the end all of that hard work you put into reaching that goal pays off.

And the drawbacks;

-Its frustrating when you dont reach their expectations and it just discourages(iii ??? right word?) you.

-pressure isn't the best thing. just adds up more stress. ( humm like during an exam or something)

Answer 5

As a child, my parents expected me to put forth my best effort. I always met that challenge head on!

As a parent, I expect the same from my sons: do your best. Each of them know what their best is! They know when they don't meet that expectation, too, without me having to tell them.

Answer 6

I don't pressure. I'm not critical. I do have expectations for myself and for others. There is no damage done by reasonable and loving expectations.

Answer 7

it really depends on the parents themselves.  i think everything here is best in moderation.  too many expectations will just lead to family problems and being unhappy with yourself while not enough (at least when younger) might not give you enough support or structure or responsibility.