Nowadays some psychologists believe that the peer groups kids play with, influence their character and personality development more than children's parents do. Psychologists claim children are more interested in fitting in with their peers than behaving the way their parents want them to. So, should parents provide their children with a strict upbringing so as to raise obedient and responsible human beings?

To start with, what most child psychologists say about peer influence is completely true. In the past, parents were more authoritarian than in these days, and they disciplined their kids to be obedient and respectful. Fathers used to work outdoors, so mothers were the ones who had more control on kids and taught them which the limits were. As a result of parents' strictness, children had a good behavior and were not negatively influenced by their peer groups.

In general, these days parents are far more relaxed and easy going than they used to be some years ago. They spend a lot of time working outdoors and  kids  find more reasons for not staying at home and so they spend long hours with peers wandering the streets and sometimes getting in trouble. When parents come back from work, children prefer watching television to talking with them about their school day or future goals. Indeed, lack of discipline and support from working parents is really ostensible. In consequence, kids spend much more time with their friends developing bad habits and learning disrespectful language.

On the whole, I would say that psychologists are not missing the point when saying that children are more interested in fitting in with their peers than being obedient with their parents. In today's world children are brought up with greater leniency and without enough love and attention. That is why kids seem to be naughty and rebellious, trying to develop a personality completely influenced by their friends.