Children Quote by Thomas Gordon
“An adolescent does not rebel against his parents. He rebels against their power. If parents would rely less on power and more on non-power methods to influence their children from infancy on, there would be little for children to rebel against when they become adolescents... parents inevitably run out of power, and sooner than they think.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Parent Effectiveness Training, 1970
Children rebel against parental authority; using non‑power influence reduces rebellion.
In simple terms: Powerful parenting causes rebellion.
Key Takeaway
Adopt collaborative parenting.
Themes
parenting
adolescence
authority
Mood
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
educational
psychological
When to use this quote
- family counseling
- school programs
- parent workshops
Key Concepts
authoritative vs. authoritarian
non‑power influence
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents practice non‑power influence?
- What challenges arise?
A Different Perspective
Power dynamics are complex; non‑power methods may be hard to implement.
