Aggressive/Violent Behavior: Nature VS. Nurture (#2)

Last week we discussed how the majority of Americans (82%) feel that aggressive/violent behavior is a combination of both a person’s genetic make-up and a person’s environment – only a minority feel these types of behaviors are simply caused by one or the other alone.

In the latest VeraQuest omnibus survey, we explored perceptions regarding the role that parents (and others) should play, when it comes to preventing, identifying, and controlling aggressive/violent behaviors in kids.

Interestingly, nearly all Americans (93%) agree to some extent that proper parenting can effectively prevent aggressive/violent behavior in kids. Some (44%) agree with this sentiment whole-heartedly, while others (49%) agree but with some hesitancy.

When aggressive/violent behavior does occur in kids, Americans overwhelmingly feel that the child’s parent or guardian is responsible for identifying and curbing this behavior (93%). About half (54%) feel that teachers should also play this role. Fewer feel that doctors/mental health professionals (40%), coaches (38%), kids’ friends/teammates (31%), and babysitters/nannies (24%) should have this responsibility.

• Midwesterners, perhaps showing more of an “it takes a village” mentality, feel that several of the non-parent groups mentioned above should also be responsible for identifying and curbing aggressive/violent behavior in kids, especially compared to Southerners and Westerners.
• Older Americans (especially those 65+ years of age) also feel more strongly than younger Americans that teachers, doctors/mental health professionals, and coaches should have this type of responsibility. Interestingly, 18-29 year olds feel more strongly that kids’ friends/teammates should be responsible for identifying and curbing aggressive/violent behavior.
• Those with children in their household are less likely to feel that these other non-parent groups should be responsible for identifying and curbing this behavior, compared to adults living in households without children.

Do you feel that as a parent, you can (or would be able to) prevent aggressive/violent behavior in your kids, no matter what? Would you want others to help you identify and control these types of behaviors, should your child be aggressive or violent?