Good parenting: The key to building a better society

 In today’s fast-moving world, where everyone is chasing progress and peace, we often forget one of the most powerful influences on society — parenting.

It’s often said that home is the first school, and parents are a child’s first teachers. The values and lessons children learn early in life shape not just their future, but the future of the whole society. That’s why good parenting isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity.

Good parenting builds emotionally strong, morally aware, and socially responsible individuals. When done well, it creates people who can lead, help others, and contribute positively to the world. When done poorly, it can leave deep emotional wounds, lead to behavioral problems, and even result in crime.

Children need more than just food, clothes, and a place to live. They need their parents to be there — to offer love, support, discipline, and guidance. These things are essential for a child’s emotional and mental growth — like vitamins for the soul.

Studies in child psychology show that strong early bonds between a child and their caregivers shape brain development and influence how they connect with the world. Criminology also supports this: children from strong, loving families are far less likely to get involved in crime, while broken or abusive homes often lead to trouble.

Parents are the emotional backbone of the home. They give children confidence, protection, and a sense of structure. One study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that 85% of youth in prison grew up without a father. Similarly, children who lack a mother’s care early in life are more likely to show antisocial behavior and struggle with relationships.

Famous sociologist Emile Durkheim also believed that families teach children the basic values and social rules needed to live in society. When families fail to do this, people often feel lost and disconnected, which can lead to crime and social problems.

In short, if we don’t help children grow up emotionally, morally, and intellectually strong, we risk creating not just unhappy individuals but an unhealthy society. On the other hand, when both parents are emotionally and physically present, children are more likely to stay mentally healthy, finish school, succeed in careers, and form strong relationships.

When Parenting Fails

The connection between poor parenting and crime is no longer just a theory — it’s a fact backed by research. One long-term study published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that children who experience abuse or neglect are at a much higher risk of committing crimes by the age of 18.

Another report from the National Institute of Justice found that abused or neglected children are 59% more likely to be arrested as juveniles. Many other studies show that a large number of young offenders come from broken or dysfunctional homes.

Neglect, lack of discipline, and absence of love create a perfect storm for low self-esteem, rebellion, and — in extreme cases — criminal behavior.

Let’s look at three real-life scenarios:

• Scenario A: A 15-year-old boy grows up in a violent home with no father figure. He ends up joining a gang, looking for the sense of structure and belonging he never had. Violence becomes “normal” to him.

• Scenario B: A teenage girl, emotionally ignored by parents who are too busy with work, starts seeking love in all the wrong places. She ends up in toxic relationships and even harms herself — all because she never got the love and attention she needed at home.

• Scenario C: A child raised in a loving, open, and supportive family grows up to be a community leader, fighting for mental health awareness and education in poor areas.

What’s the difference between these stories? Parenting.

We spend years learning to drive, use computers, or manage money. But what about learning how to raise a human being? Isn’t that just as — if not more — important?

A Way Forward

It’s time we take parenting seriously. Not by turning it into something strict or formal, but by giving parents the tools, knowledge, and support they need. Imagine a national Parenting for Progress initiative — a program that teaches parents about emotional intelligence, child psychology, healthy discipline, trauma, bullying, social media, gender sensitivity, and how to build empathy and resilience in kids.

Such a program could be run in schools, community centers, religious places, and even workplaces. It could include workshops, support groups, and online courses — tailored to different backgrounds and cultures.

Because every strong society starts with strong families. And good parenting creates good people, who go on to build peaceful, compassionate communities.

If we truly want to reduce crime, improve mental health, and grow a kinder world, the change must begin at home — around dinner tables, in bedtime stories, and with parents who are truly present.

Let’s stop waiting for the system to fix broken adults. Let’s start by helping parents raise whole, healthy children.

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