In the relentless pursuit of perfection and parental approval, many students find themselves entangled in a web of parental pressure. In this essay, we will further explore the harm parental pressure can do to a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Parental pressure is very common around the world. It involves the expectations, guidance, and sometimes demands that parents place on their children to achieve certain goals, standards, or outcomes. I’m writing this essay in the hope that other students like me don’t feel alone in this situation and that their parents can understand how parental pressure affects their children and how they can support them. Parental pressure creates challenges, causing students to feel very pressured and depressed; therefore, parental organizations and school counselors should offer helpful programs and resources to parents to help them understand and support their kids better.
Parental pressure causes students to feel stressed out and less confident. The American Psychological Association states, “Young people internalize [parents’] expectations and depend on them for their self-esteem. And when they fail to meet them, as they invariably will, they’ll be critical of themselves for not matching up. To compensate, they strive to be perfect.” This proves that parental pressure can have many negative effects, like seeking validation, insecurities, and low self-esteem. Those negative effects could result in students wanting to give up on school and suffering from depression and anxiety during college and life beyond that if this problem isn’t resolved. Bay Atlantic University says, “Fear of failure stops students from taking up new projects or completing the ones at hand. In the hope of getting your validation for bringing home good grades, they will consider or even commit cheating to receive good compliments and rewards.” This shows that parental pressure can cause students to make poor decisions, such as academic cheating.
Mental health organizations and school counselors should provide parents with information sessions, counseling sessions, or resources for them to understand and support their kids better. According to The Center for Relationship Health, “Addressing parental pressure is a complex issue that requires collaboration among various organizations, including those focused on family well-being, education, mental health, and child advocacy.” This suggests that collaboration between these organizations and the involvement of parents, teachers, and communities is essential to creating a comprehensive approach to addressing parental pressure. Parental pressure is a varied issue that requires a holistic response involving educational, mental health, and advocacy organizations working together to promote healthier parenting practices and protect the well-being of children.
Some may argue that parental pressure is beneficial because it can improve academic performance, achievements, and personal growth. They might say that parental pressure can also be a source of motivation rather than a cause of stress and anxiety. According to the Department of Education, “Parental pressure on children to excel academically is helpful in motivating them to study.”
However, they don’t recognize that when parents set high expectations for their children, those expectations may be unrealistic, and this can have a range of negative consequences on teenagers, such as a strained relationship between parents and teenagers. They may struggle with decision-making in adult life because they relied on their parent’s expectations most of the time. According to Bay Atlantic University, “Although the pressure is mainly based on good intentions, sometimes parents can go beyond what’s acceptable for students. As a student, your child will constantly look for your validation. Even a slightly disappointed expression can send them into a bad mental state; they will start questioning their capabilities, slowly leading to fear, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.” This proves that although parental pressure can be a source of motivation, parents could push their children too hard, which can negatively impact students.
My own experiences with parental pressure have shaped my perspective on the importance of open communication and mutual understanding in families. In my junior year, I often felt like I had to be this perfect student while also being pressured to join a sport. I always tried to live up to those expectations, fearing that I might seem like a failure or not good enough. For example, my parents would praise an achieving student and athlete, and I would wonder if they wished they had someone like that as a daughter.
In conclusion, the impact of parental pressure on children and adolescents is a complex and significant issue that can have both positive and negative consequences. While some degree of parental guidance and encouragement is essential for a child’s development, excessive pressure and unrealistic expectations can be damaging to their mental and emotional well-being. It’s crucial to remember that, while well-intentioned, parental pressure can have significant long-term effects on children. By implementing these solutions, parents can create a nurturing, supportive, and loving environment that allows their children to flourish and develop into well-rounded individuals without the burden of excessive expectations.
