Is it ever okay to shout at children?

Today, British politicians will hear evidence from scientists about the long-term mental health impact on children of being shouted at by adults. 

On Lunchtime Live, listener Joanna agreed that shoutin can be “damaging” for children but added that parents are “only human”. 

“Sometimes, if a parent asks their kids 10 times to tidy the playroom and you get the eyeroll or they don’t do it, it’s natural at times, you may raise your voice,” she said. 

“But I think raising your voice the odd time versus shouting constantly is a completely different thing.” 

However, she added that far too many children today “lack boundaries and discipline”. 

“I think parents are too quick to put their children into cotton wool and be afraid of giving their children any discipline or boundaries,” she said. 

“You see these children running around with no manners, no respect, no responsibility. 

“So, my style of parenting, I know it’s not perfect, I make it a habit to not shout at the children and to try to teach them responsibility.” 

Joanna added that if a parent shouts, then a child will simply “learn not to hear it”.

Main image: Father shouting at young daughter. Picture by: MBI / Alamy.com