Aggression in children

 

·       Child’s aggressive behavior psychology.

 

·       The rate of aggression in children is increasing with the passage of time. What are the reasons behind?

What is aggression?

According to Start (2019) “Aggression is a forceful, in appropriate, not adaptive verbal or physical action designed to pursue personal interest”.

According to Pouw, Rieffe, Osterueld, Huskins & Stockman (2013), Aggressive behavior can be self-directed, reactive or in revenge. It can also proactive, overt or secretive”. So we say aggression is an emotional behavior as a result of which a person can harm himself, other people, property and even the environment.

Aggression can be both physical and psychological. If the aggression becomes severe, it takes the form of violence, and violence is the most extreme form of aggression such as killing or causing serious harm. Aggression of any kind is not considered a desirable behavior, yet whether it is in children or adults. Such a person is a nuisance to the society as well as brings embarrassment to his family. Aggressive people are generally seen to be short-tempered, they can express it anywhere, anytime, on anything.

Aggression is expressed in different ways.

Beating, hurling objects, spitting, pushing, hitting, kicking, grabbing other people's hair, shoving, lying, tease, cheating, stealing, threatening, spreading rumours, bullying, etc.

Aggression in children/toddlers

Due to their inherent differences, each child expresses their emotions uniquely. While each child has a unique method of showing happiness, all children exhibit love in the same way. Anger expression also has a distinct flair. The child's inability to communicate effectively led to their expressing their anger through overt misbehavior. Try not to panic if your typically furious kid suddenly becomes more aggressive and prone to tantrums. This is a typical developmental stage for them, especially between the ages of 18 months and 3 years.

According to Pratibha Reebye, it is a symptom with or without aim or adaptive function. Additionally, aggressive behavior may be a symptom of a syndrome, such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. In children under the age of six, violent behavior can range widely.

Dr Emily Mudd says, we generally expect aggressive behavior from toddlers at this stage children resort to physical expression of their frustration simply because they don’t yet have the language skills to express themselves for example, pushing a partner on the  playground might be considered normal. We wouldn't necessarily call it aggression unless it was part of a pattern. According to developmental theory, aggressive impulses or drives are born in the human child and are an important aspect of physiological vitality and survival. During healthy development, these drives are usually expressed in different behaviors at different ages and parents can gradually bring the individual under better control with the help of others.

During the first year, infants are not often thought to be aggressive. But a nine-month-old baby pulls your hair, not knowing that this action can hurt you. This is a sign of excitement. It is done in the same passionate and playful spirit. It happens only in the second year, as child develops a better awareness of his separation as a person he may begin to understand that he is angry with someone and behave with deliberate force. We don’t usually talk about a child being cruel or hostile to others during the second year.

Toddlers/Pre-schoolers are learning to engage with others in the environment. They may initially hit and push other children if they want to play with a toy that someone else is using or stand in line, want to be in the place where someone else has stood.

Children with high levels of aggression grow up to face problems such as physical and mental illness, unemployment and poverty. As stated in a website article, aggression in children is a common transdiagnostic symptom associated with a wide range of developmental and mental health problems. It emerges early and without intervention may increase in severity as the child grows stronger.

Reasons that lead to aggressive behavior in children.

Family environment:

If the home environment is strict, strict rules are made or parents keep fighting, yelling at each other, sibling fights, which affect the child’s innocent mind, in this condition the child will show aggressive behavior.

Ignoring, negligence:

Shorter intervals between birth in children may effect the older one. An older child is disturbed by the presence of a new-born in the house. He begins to feel that his value has diminished. His routine is disturbed, child would take out his anger by beating the new-born or breaking his things, or pours something on the new-born.

To get attention:

When the new baby arrives in home, the attention of the parents is diverted. The child wants his mother or father to play with him. If not, he shouts with clenched fists and throw things to attract the parents.

Frustration:

The behavior of children suffering from problems of intellectual impairment is also aggressive because such children have difficulty in dealing with anxiety and depression, the reason for this is not being able to verbalize their feelings.

Diseases:

Children usually show aggression in illness or those children who are suffering from some kind of disorder such as mood disorders, psychotic illness, conduct disorders, such children do not have control over their impulses, they are disturbing children.

Barricade/hinder:

 If the children are interrupted at different times of the day and the process is repeated like don’t do that, do that, why did you do that, then the child will get bored and show aggression.

What should be the parents' attitude towards children's aggression?

·        Parents should build a strong and trusting relationship with children so that children can share all their emotions with their parents without fear.

·        Parents should not talk loudly to each other in front of children.

·         Parents should inculcate in their children from childhood that any kind of aggression is not acceptable.

·        Parents can also improve this behavior of their child with the help of teachers or someone close to the child whom the child likes to listen to, with whom he does not feel shy or afraid to share.

·        Parents can develop their child’s ability to control negative reactions, negative emotions because the child’s self-control characteristics is weak at an early age.

It is the parents who can inculcate in the child the ability to express emotions through words. If the child is losing control of his anger, give him time to calm down rather than use harsh words to escalate his aggressive behavior. After a while, when the child calms down, calmly and lovingly make him realize his mistake and explain to him that what he did is not right. In general, parents adopt a strict attitude towards the child’s aggressive behavior and don’t control their own temper. Children learn the use of words and behavior from their parents. It is also said that aggressive behavior is inherited. Child's observation is very strong. He adapts the behavior, seen in the people around him. Parents should control their temper. According to child psychologist, it is more likely that the kids are unable to express their feelings to helpless anxiety or anger to their parents, so they act aggressively and are more likely to that they push, kick and yell is the best way to help. They have to realize that they should express their feelings through words and not through aggression. If the child’s behavior is getting worse with time, it is a matter of concern and a step to take action is to refer your child to a good child psychologist and get their opinion.