Bad Behavior in Boys Linked to Poor Parenting

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36038187/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/

A new study suggests that poor parenting may cause boys to be particularly prone to bad behavior. Researchers say that parenting style may affect boys more than girls because boys tend to challenge parents more, pushing boundaries, while girls are more likely to turn feelings inward - resulting in depression, anxiety and social withdrawal.

Parent-child attachment style may be the reason for this. An attachment style is the way a child seeks comfort or support when they are stressed in some way. Securely attached babies cry out or become visibly upset when stressed and turn to a caregiver for comfort.

Two insecure style of attachment are avoidant and disorganized attachment. In their second year of life, avoidant kids hide their distress and cope with it on their own rather than turning to their parents. Toddlers suffering from disorganized attachment seem to both want and not want their parents. They may run toward a caregiver only to freeze before reaching him or her, for example.

Abused and neglected children often exhibit disorganized attachment. Babies of parents who stress independence tend to become avoidant. Even more moderate ways of parenting, such as being very harsh, or inconsistent can cause insecure attachment styles.

While all kids are aggressive sometimes, insecurely attached boys are more likely to be violent and destructive. Girls are unlikely to be particularly aggressive regardless of their relationship with their parents.