Do you have a young child who you feel is unreasonably stubborn? It’s tough to deal with a child like this every day, but don’t worry- being hardheaded can actually benefit their career after they grow up. We know it is hard, but try not to let your very unyielding toddler get the best of you. When they grow up, it will all be worth it.
A recent study has urged parents to embrace the stubbornness instead of trying to squelch it. This study has been backed by four decades of research, published in the Journal of Developmental Psychology. It concluded that stubborn kids typically grow up to be goal-driven adults who earned more in their careers than kids who were more easy-going and passive.
The study began with 700 children when they were just 12-years-old when it began. It monitored them closely until they were 52. The children who were stubborn when they were younger typically became accomplished and driven adults.
The kids who broke the rules also usually became high achievers in their career choices. This even included the ones who often defied their parents.
Do you think your kid is hardheaded? Here are the five main traits of a stubborn child:
- Impatience
- Rule Breaking
- Defiance
- Inattentiveness
- Sense of inferiority
The researchers evaluated these traits and more during the study. They also paid close attention to their academic conscientiousness and their sense of entitlement. They learned that kids who grew up breaking rules typically became responsible adults.
A popular blog known as Fatherly stated that the kids who choose to ignore their parents and the rules ended up earning higher salaries than their counterparts. So if your child is always demanding a bigger piece of the pie, they will probably demand a bigger salary later on.
Kids who are hardheaded at a younger age end up being more competitive in the classroom. They will do what they can to earn higher grades and will not back down from life’s challenges, big or small. They usually grow up being adaptable and resilient.
We should be aware that just plain stubbornness won’t always mean a successful and profitable life later on for the child. The right encouragement and guidance is necessary for kids who wish to harness these seemingly negative traits into something positive.
Do you have a child who is willful and stubborn? Do you agree with this study? Be sure to pass this on to other families and friends who have stubborn kids!
