How Does Anger Affect Children?
Can incidents here and there among children be signs of mental disorders or future violence? I will touch upon how anger is seen through the eyes of an outsider, and the importance aggression and anger has on the future of oneself and the family/peers around them.
Anger in children affects children in homes on a day to day basis. Procrastinating treatment can result in future problems, damaging themselves and family members. In the video to left, a young girl’s mother noticed a dramatic increase in anger and behavior. With the help of Dr. Phil, this mother learns how to cope. Anger can be present in parents who treat their children with violence or neglect, or children who exhibit anger and bad behavior themselves. Anger is does not make the child abnormal, but vulnerable (Sherman 2003).
As a prominent factor of central development is simply controlling their emotions, varying from negative to positive. Although I discovered a study from 1974, it still holds importance in the event that anger will instigate violence in children as they grow. Something to note is that children actually yearn for help, there is nowhere to receive help or guidance from. Many parents in today’s society are not prepared to handle unjust situations, often times avoiding the matter at hand. When a child does not understand the problem with their anger and how it can ruin their lives, the anger will soon control their minds. Although measures have been taken to fix the underlying problems among anger and aggression, the processes can either make children even more aggressive, or morally mature. The relationships between parents and children are actually a part of the process. Peer interactions will highly be prominent in emotions. The need to fit in will either make a child feel like they are the odd one out, or that they feel somewhat popular. When a young child feels unwanted, they may react in harmful ways. Below is a diagram of what can drastically change the life of a growing child.
Aggression derives from where?
Above are multiple factors that play a part in children and aggression. David Gresham, in an article I found, explained aggression as the behavior directed towards another being with the intention of harm. Aggression can be direct or indirect. Direct aggression involves one on one harm with another person, while indirect aggression involves anonymous harm. We may experience anonymous harm on a daily basis. For example, spreading rumors and verbally tearing someone down is a common act indirect aggression. Aggression can happen every once in a while, perhaps some children go through a passing phase of anger that is overlooked. While some kids experience a short time period where they have extensive outbursts, other children may have uncontrollable anger, the littlest things unexpectedly sending them on a rampage. The inability to handle common mishaps can damage their future tremendously. We hear from time to time that mental disorders are a result of what happened when we were younger. The problem with anger is it opens a multitude of disorders to develop. Depression is much more expected among those who have a hard time controlling emotions.
Why do we believe the things we do?
Believe it or not, factors that change youth aggression are not entirely optional. Gender, beliefs, and the way children view themselves change everything. Beliefs, especially, are not often what a young person creates. Think of this, we are simply the product of our parents. We expect parents to teach their kids good morals an beliefs, but some parents may not see this way of thinking. It is important to keep in mind that a large percentage of a child's memories will either benefit or harm their growth. Children may even be taught good morals and beliefs, but maybe head in the opposite direction.
Why is it important?
Every child is at risk of violence and serious aggression. It not only affects them, but their future as well. Children focus on engaging in violent activities, distracting them from good morals and and even educational values. Not knowing how to handle aggression will only further enhance problems. Certain emotions cause a pause in development and have emotional consequences (Arsenio, 77). Differences occur in a multitude of situations, and social groups play an important factor. Your everyday life and consistent group of friend may have a bigger impact on you than you realize. Not having the ability to control impulses or emotions can result to outbursts and possible mental disorders. Schizophrenia is extremely common among those who are unable to experience aggression.
What can we do?
We can observe. Having common grounds and an understanding of aggression in young children can give us an idea of where the problems derive from. Facing anger and aggression before it gets out of hand is essential to a well functioning adult. Many researchers have concluded that ethnicity, age, and gender hold a large importance in aggression. We see the problems is causes in children everyday. As a way of help, we must cooperate with each other to conquer angry thoughts that will lead to unjust behavior. I found that a big part in the help of children dealing with aggression in large quantities is the fact that we are not used to abnormal behaviors at home. Know that sometimes we need to have patience or the problem will only b further enhanced.
Overall findings.
Outbursts occur in children as young as two years old. A lot of what children endure as a children will predict how they handle the upcoming world. Observing problems or inconsistent behaviors in children come from factors of all forms. Whether peers, media, or family influence uncanny behaviors, it is important to approach the aggression in an appropriate fashion. Kids make it a habit to throw tantrums if they are not controlled. As shown in the video, after a certain period of time, anger and aggression becomes nearly impossible to keep at bay.
Sources
Golden, B. (2003). Healthy Anger : How to Help Children and Teens Manage Their Anger. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gresham, D., Melvin, G. A., & Gullone, E. (2016). The role of anger in the relationship between internalising symptoms and aggression in adolescents.Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(9), 2674–2682. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.loras.edu/10.1007/s10826-016-0435-4
Birmaher, B., Brent, D., Chiappetta, L., Bridge, J., Monga, S., & Baugher, M. (1999). Psychometric properties of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED): A replication study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38, 1230–1236
Fives, C.J., Kong, G., Fuller, J.R. et al. Cogn Ther Res (2011) 35: 199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9293-3h
Olthof, T. O. (1988, November 30). Personal Responsibility Antecedents of Anger and Blame Reactions in Children. Retrieved November 31, 2017, from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ402891
Nasir, S. J., & Tahir, S. (2012, December 31). Anger, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Autism in Home and School Settings: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Behavioural Sciences, 22(2). Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.loras.edu/apps/doc/A309533748/PPPC?u=lorascoll&sid=PPPC&xid=ae9243ed
D. (2016, December 13). ‘I’m Terrified My 9-Year-Old Daughter WIll Either End Up Killing Herself — Or Someone Else.’ Retrieved November 05, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGmO3aNMI3E
Simmons, R. (2012). Odd girl out: the hidden culture of aggression in girls. London: Piatkus.
Goodenough, F. L. (1976). Anger in young children. Westport, CT.
Arsenio, W. F., & Lemerise, E. A. (2010). Emotions, aggression, and morality in children: bridging development and psychopathology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.