The question of which way is the best way to teach a child respect for law and authority is not a new one. By their very nature, children learn the difference between right and wrong by pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable by adults and wider society. For this reason, children were probably just as unruly in Neolithic times as they are in the 21^st century.

Bringing up a child so that he/she respects their elders and the rule of law is just as challenging as it has always been. If you are struggling with teaching your child the value of respect and discipline, the following are some strategies that you might try to get them on the straight and narrow.

Know That Respect Starts at Home

A child’s attitude with authority and the law in later life is based on their relationship with their primary caregiver. Showing your child that you are the one in control from a time when they are very young will teach them to obey authority from day one. This means being firm but fair in your treatment of pre-arranged boundaries and other siblings.

Be a Role Model

Children learn the basics of what is ok and what is not from the behaviour of their parents. If you react in a confrontational way when dealing with people in positions of authority, it is more than likely that your child will grow up thinking that the law is something that threatens them rather than something that is necessary for society to function smoothly.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Many times, it is not enough to just tell a child what is right and what is wrong. You should aim to get them to start thinking critically about the value of the law and why things are better if people abide by it. Ask them questions like “What would happen if everybody stole from the store?” to encourage them to develop their own moral framework for behaving.

Point Out Examples of Disrespect

When you are out and about with your child, and you see someone acting in a disrespectful way, call it out. Ask your child whether they think that it is acceptable for people to speak and act in certain manners and discuss possible ways in which the offender could have acted more morally.

By putting the tips above into practice, you should give your child a moral foundation that stands them in good stead in life. Nonetheless, you should remember that there will always be times that things do not go to plan and that you should not be too hard on yourself when your child messes up as they look to find their own way in life.

In the unfortunate event that your child does have a run-in with the law, it is not the end of the world. If you visit Prime Lawyers, one of the leading law firms specialising in representing juvenile offenders in the country, you will receive quality legal advice to help in the case.