Netizens clash online over whether student disrespect stems from parenting failures or peer pressure as accountability debates intensify.
A DISCUSSION on whether disrespectful behaviour among students stems from parenting has triggered debate online, with many netizens arguing that a child’s upbringing plays a significant role in shaping their attitude towards adults.
The conversation began after a Threads user posed the question: “Disrespectful students stem from their own parents. Fact or fiction? Why does student disrespect occur?”
The post invited users to share their views on what contributes to children displaying disrespectful behaviour, particularly whether poor conduct in school can be traced back to the home environment.
Responding to the discussion, the user suggested that family influence could be a major factor in shaping a child’s behaviour and attitude. While the post did not refer to any specific incident, it raised broader questions about the underlying causes of student misconduct.
Many netizens agreed that parents play a crucial role, although others argued that peers and the wider social environment also have a significant influence.
One user wrote: “In my view, peer influence is the most significant factor, though parents certainly play a role as well,” adding that children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of those around them than simply follow advice.
Another commented: “Yes, quite right! One could say it all ‘begins at home’,” reflecting the belief that values and behaviour are primarily shaped within the family.
A different user questioned which influence carried the greatest weight, writing: “Parents account for 90% of the influence on a child. Friends account for 40–50%. Teachers account for 10–30%. Whose influence is stronger?”
Meanwhile, another netizen rejected the notion that schools should shoulder the blame, saying: “They blame schools for not using corporal punishment. Yet many children who have never been caned at school turn out perfectly fine. This clearly indicates that upbringing at home is the decisive factor.”
Others offered a more balanced perspective, suggesting that behaviour is shaped by multiple influences.
“It is usually down to friends,” one user wrote, while another suggested that children may either imitate rude behaviour they witness at home or become more disrespectful when given excessive freedom without adequate parental guidance.