by Barbara Stanley

Created on: April 24, 2011   Last Updated: December 04, 2011

Babies come into the world without knowledge of right and wrong behavior. Infants begin learning as soon as crying brings food, comforting, or entertainment. As babies grow, the learning happens at increasing speeds. Babies learn that hitting or biting other babies will bring unpleasantness. Although each infant comes into the world with his own personality and temperament, how to control his actions is learned behavior taught by parents, grandparents, and caregivers.

Babies do not know the concept of being selfish, they just know that they want something even if another child is in possession of it. It is the parent's responsibility to teach the child how to share and how to properly interact with others.

When children are heard telling their parents what to buy them and being demanding inside a grocery or department store, other parents automatically know who is in control in that house. Parents give in to a child's demands when they feel guilty for having to work long hours. Most parents, especially mothers, try to make up for not spending more time with their children by giving them things. While a child might enjoy having new toys and clothes frequently, what she really desires is attention from her mom and dad.

If a child gets attention from behaving badly, a child will behave badly. Any attention is better than none. Bad behavior is also taught to children by parents who behave badly. Parents who use vulgar language and drink alcoholic beverages in front of their children are essentially saying that there is nothing wrong with doing these things. Children watch how their parents treat others. They hear things their parents say about others. These children grow up believing they can say and do whatever feels good to them and not have to consider the rights of others.

Their are millions of parents who behave badly in front of their children. There are parents who steal from stores in front of their children, some who even get their children to help steal. Some parents are habitual liars who teach their children that lying is something that is okay to do. Parents who beat their children and do strange things, such as locking them in closets for punishment or make them clean their own vomit when they are sick, teach their children that cruelty to others gives them all the power.

Some would think that once children grew up, the way they behave is the fault of no one except themselves. The young and growing mind of a child is shaped and formed in

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>