Does Parental Tough Love Really Work? As time progresses, more and more people are utilizing the concept “tough love” as a form of parenting method. Some people declare that the strategies of tough love are effective, while others argue that tough love is destructive and simply another word for child abuse. One question that people, mostly parents, have had is whether or not tough love actually works? The idea of it has been around since the 1980’s and several parents would prefer to use this style of parenting as opposed to tender loving care. Tough love is defined as an expression used when someone treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run. Tough love was first introduced in the 1980’s by Phyllis
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Szalavitz explains that “most of the people [she] spoke with agreed that the industry is dominated by the idea that harsh rules and even brutal confrontation are necessary to help troubled teens” (Szalavitz). Szalavitz interviewed sociologist, Elliot Currie, from the University of California- Berkeley, who stated that “he could not think of a program that wasn’t influenced by the philosophy of [tough love]” (Szalavitz, 1). According to Szalavitz’s research, people everywhere are arguing that tough love is effective; however, Szalavitz, former drug addict during adolescence, says that the scheme of it does not work. “The very notion of making kids who are already suffering go through more misery is psychology backwards” (Szalavitz 1). In her article, Szalavitz tells her story of how she …show more content…
They all concluded that they were raised by the idea of it and that it bettered them in the long run. One question on the questionnaire was “How has tough love been helpful in your life?” One response to the question indicated that “it’s a tough world out there, and tough love prepares a person to be able to take on anything” (Ursula). Another person also answered the question very similarly stating “tough love prepares a person to handle harsh words or actions thrown at them by anyone” (Rachelle). Other people claimed that tough love made them a strong person emotionally. One other question on the questionnaire was “How has tough love been effective in your life?” One response to the question claims that they have “lived a prosperous life because tough love gave them the motivation to attend college and do great things” (Leandra). All the responses on the questionnaire supported the idea of tough love and noted that the idea of it works in raising
Szalavitz explains that “most of the people [she] spoke with agreed that the industry is dominated by the idea that harsh rules and even brutal confrontation are necessary to help troubled teens” (Szalavitz). Szalavitz interviewed sociologist, Elliot Currie, from the University of California- Berkeley, who stated that “he could not think of a program that wasn’t influenced by the philosophy of [tough love]” (Szalavitz, 1). According to Szalavitz’s research, people everywhere are arguing that tough love is effective; however, Szalavitz, former drug addict during adolescence, says that the scheme of it does not work. “The very notion of making kids who are already suffering go through more misery is psychology backwards” (Szalavitz 1). In her article, Szalavitz tells her story of how she …show more content…
They all concluded that they were raised by the idea of it and that it bettered them in the long run. One question on the questionnaire was “How has tough love been helpful in your life?” One response to the question indicated that “it’s a tough world out there, and tough love prepares a person to be able to take on anything” (Ursula). Another person also answered the question very similarly stating “tough love prepares a person to handle harsh words or actions thrown at them by anyone” (Rachelle). Other people claimed that tough love made them a strong person emotionally. One other question on the questionnaire was “How has tough love been effective in your life?” One response to the question claims that they have “lived a prosperous life because tough love gave them the motivation to attend college and do great things” (Leandra). All the responses on the questionnaire supported the idea of tough love and noted that the idea of it works in raising