Behavior

We seldom realize the consequences of bad behavior until it spirals out of control. We must acknowledge that there is a strong cultural and environmental influence on behavior. Both good and bad behavioral traits are often learned over time. Good behavioral traits come from a strong cultural influence of family and friends. According to my mentor Dr. Donald Nichols, the power of socialization is that society will always teach and reinforce the norms that produce the behavior that is desired by society. There are rules within society that determine behavior, and there are varying degrees of punishment that are allocated or dished out as needed to expect adherence to the conforms of certain behaviors. Therefore failure to conform to behavioral norms among cultures can lead to people being hit, punished, or in some instances extremes of shame, being shunned and or even made an outcast. The ultimate goal of behavioral adjustment and change, or simply an attitude adjustment is teaching good behavior. Whereby rules can be reinforced by an appropriate discipline through guidance and direction. Disciplining bad behavior in children has changed over time, and so has the tolerance for certain behaviors. Either we have become soft as a society, or we are simply not bothered by the shenanigans.

“In previous generations, people were held responsible for their behavior. Today, society at large pays for irresponsible behavior.” - Walter E. Williams

“The main source of good discipline is growing up in a loving family, being loved and learning to love in return.” - Benjamin Spock

“Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling from others.” - Albert Bandura

“If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior.” - William Glasser

“It is O. K. for me to feel angry and to express it in responsible ways.” - Virginia Satir

Spanking these days is even frowned upon by many, considering spanking is not abuse. I see spanking as a much-needed attitude adjustment and a preventative measure and can work well when it is required. I will not support physical abuse,  as a means of controlling bad behavior in children. I guess we can agree that unruly bad behavior does require an attitude adjustment. Children must be taught the norms of behavior, and an understanding of the consequences of behavior should be reinforced always. Children must have the cognitive ability to understand and make connections with the expectations of the family group. As children grow and develop and evolve as teenagers, teaching them patience will be mandatory. Some privileged teenagers rebel against their parents by acting out in bad behavior, and at times the lifestyle provided to them seems undeserving. This creates attitudes of ungratefulness and selfishness. These types of behavior that go unrectified will create adults that would have no appreciation for life, hard work, or just empathy and understanding.  I strongly believe that most privileged children today will not appreciate anything since they were never allowed the opportunity not to have anything in life.

“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.” - Socrates

"People's behavior makes sense if you think about it in terms of their goals, needs, and motives." - Thomas Mann

"The fact is that people are good, Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior."

- Abraham Maslow

"The ideal of behaviorism is to eliminate coercion: to apply controls by changing the environment in such a way as to reinforce the kind of behavior that benefits everyone. " - B. F. Skinner

"Entitlement is just the grossest kind of human behavior." - Jessica Parker Kennedy

There are many sides to behavior, for example, behavior that stems from lifelong struggles like poverty. People who have overcome the constraints of poverty will often live lives of appreciation,  kindness, compassion, and humility.  Life circumstances do not necessarily create or sustain bad behavior. Individual decisions lead to lifestyle changes whether good or bad. The Hope and wish for prosperity are often taught and instilled by our parents, thereby enhancing our overall behavior and determination for a better life. Modeled behavior is taught by our parents and extended family, where our culture and community play a vital role in contributing to behavioral outcomes. Bad behavior is sometimes a depiction of an individual's alter ego. Then again, if someone faces mental health and emotional issues their behavior is often compromised. Despite how these individuals are viewed by society, their overall behavior should not be excused. Healthy socialization is key to teaching and creating positive reinforcement to enable better behavior among adults and children. Individuals who display selfish, narcissistic behavior will be limited in any progress made in understanding the consequences of their actions. Sometimes certain behaviors are often misunderstood or simply ignored, therefore understanding behavioral changes and helping to bring about change will ensure appropriate transitions. You cannot control someone else's behavior, since you only have control over your own. Keep in mind you only have control over how you respond to the behavior of others.

"Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes." - Emily Dickinson

"Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge." - Plato

"Life is hard. Life is difficult. Life is going to punch you in the gut. But when you change your attitude, you change your behavior. When your behavior changes, so do your results." - Will Hurd

"Reproach is shame, blame, disgrace, disapproval and a disrespectful attitude toward yourself. When you're under reproach, your behavior shows it." - Joyce Meyer

"When you're the victim of the behavior, it's black and white; when you're the perpetrator, there are a million shades of gray." - Laura Schlessinger