your room, do your homework and focus on your future?
Many of us grew up with demanding mothers who sometimes seemed to make our lives difficult. Their high expectations, constant nagging, and insistence on discipline could be overwhelming. Yet, according to one study, this strictness actually has a positive impact on children’s success. So even if it felt like a burden at the time, you may one day thank your mother for her demands.
High expectations for a brighter future
Ericka Rascon-Ramirez, a researcher at the University of Essex, has conducted a study that shows that children whose mothers have high expectations are more likely to succeed in life. The research analyzed the life experiences of more than 15,000 adolescents aged 13 to 14 between 2004 and 2010.
According to the researcher:
“The measure of expectations in this study reflects a combination of aspirations and beliefs about the likelihood of access to higher education reported by the majority of parents, in most cases the mother.”
The results showed that teenage girls with demanding mothers were 4% less likely to become pregnant prematurely. They were also more likely to complete college and obtain stable, well-paying jobs.
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