Why Do Children Misbehave More In Public Than At Home?

 Children misbehave more in public places than at their homes for a variety of reasons: ranging from seeking attention and testing boundaries, to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. This phenomenon is a common concern for parents and caregivers worldwide, as it can be embarrassing, stressful, and challenging to manage.

One reason children misbehave more in public is that they often feel a sense of excitement and freedom in new environments. When children are in public, they may feel more liberated to test boundaries and push limits, as they may perceive the rules and expectations to be different from those obtainable at homes. For example, a child who is normally well-behaved at home may become extremely disobedient in a crowded and rowdy shopping malls (supermarkets), airports, and parks. Parents and caregivers should not be surprised when children misbehave at public places. It is their nature to respond that way in new environments. At the banking halls, children can decide to climb the demarcation points between the banking staff and customers. They may enter into any office or department of the bank if nobody stops them. If you take them to beautiful places, they find it difficult to come out of them. They want to remain there permanently. All these behaviours are not good to parents and caregivers. But, that is the way children operate. You can softly call them back to orderliness. 

Another reason children misbehave in public is that they may be seeking for attention from parents and others. Children often crave attention and affirmation, and public places can provide a wider audience for their behaviours. By misbehaving in public, children may be attempting to get a reaction from parents and caregivers, or others around them, which can reinforce the behaviour. In addition to that, children may misbehave more in public due to feelings of frustration and being overwhelmed. Public places can be overwhelming and stressful to children, especially if they are tired, hungry, or overstimulated. When children feel overwhelmed, they may become more irritable and vulnerable to misbehaviours, as they may not have the emotional regulation skills to manage their feelings.

Furthermore, children may misbehave more in public because they may not understand or be aware of the social norms and expectations through experiences and guidance, and public places can present new and unfamiliar situations that may be challenging for them to navigate. In Japan, for example, children are often taught from youthful age about the importance of respect and politeness in public places. This cultural emphasis on social etiquette can help children understand what is expected of them in different settings and reduce the likelihood of misbehaviours. In contrast, in some Western cultures, children may be given more freedom to express themselves and assert their individuality, which can sometimes lead to more misbehaviours in public. However, this does not mean that children in these cultures are inherently more disobedient or poorly behaved. Rather, they may be learning to navigate different social norms and expectations.

In India, the concept of "samskaras" emphasizes the importance of instilling values and characters in children. By teaching children about respect, empathy, and self-control, parents and caregivers can help them develop the skills they need to behave well in public and in private places. 

In conclusion, children misbehave more in public than at homes for a variety of reasons, including seeking for  attention, testing boundaries, feeling overwhelmed, and lacking understanding of social norms. By understanding these reasons and teaching children about etiquette, respect, and self-control, parents and caregivers can help children develop the skills they need to behave well in public and in private. With patience, commitment, consistency, and positive reinforcement, children can learn to navigate different settings and situations with confidence and good behaviours. By promoting positive behaviours and social skills, we can help children grow into capable and matured individuals who are equipped to succeed in all aspects of life.

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