A child with a lot of freedom becomes more responsible. Is that right?

Educational myth 3:

A child with a lot of freedom becomes more responsible. Is that right?
A child with a lot of freedom becomes more responsible. Is that right?

That's what the expert says:

«Children don't need an education. They are born with all social and human characteristics. To develop these, they need nothing but the presence of adults who behave humanely and socially. Any method is not only superfluous, but counterproductive. Children need a tailwind from their parents - that's what they say in Denmark. It means loving guidance, not reprimands. Children need as much self-esteem as possible. That's the most important thing.»

Jesper Juul war dänischer Familientherapeut und Bestsellerautor. Der Vater eines erwachsenen Sohnes war zweimal verheiratet. Er starb 2019.
Jesper Juul was a Danish family therapist and bestselling author. The father of an adult son, he was married twice. He died in 2019.

All parenting myths at a glance:

Parenting knowledge instead of parenting myths!
You can find all the myths in our dossier: 15 parenting myths

Read the answers to 15 parenting myths here:

  • Gute Noten sollte man mit Geld belohnen
  • Handy-Entzug als Strafe ist sinnvoll
  • Einzelkinder sind verwöhnt und können nicht teilen
  • Raufende Kinder werden kriminell
  • Wer mit seinen Kindern streitet macht sie streitsüchtig
  • Kindern sollte man nichts verbieten, da sie sonst zu kleinen Rebellen werden
  • Mit viel Spielzeug fühlt sich ein Kind geliebt
  • Scheidungskinder sind beziehungsunfähig
  • Trotzende Kinder brauchen härtere Erziehung
  • 13-Jährige kann man nicht mehr erziehen
  • Als Eltern sollte man auch beste Freunde seiner Kinder sein
  • Ab der 1. Klasse sollte ein Kind ein Smartphone erhalten
  • Früh geförderte Kinder werden erfolgreicher
  • Eine Ohrfeige hat noch keinem Kind geschadet

Diese Kampagne ist in Zusammenarbeit mit Jung von Matt entstanden.

"150 questions - 150 answers on parenting, family and school". In the 132-page guide, 51 experts have their say. New subscribers receive the booklet free of charge. A single issue costs CHF 14.90 plus postage; you can order it here.
"150 questions - 150 answers on education, family and school".
The 132-page guidebook features 51 experts. New subscribers receive the booklet free of charge. A single issue costs CHF 14.90 plus postage; you can order it here.

More educational knowledge on the subject of freedom:

  • Parenting and family - 24 questions and answers
    How does parenting work? What is the right recipe? How much care is appropriate, how much trust is necessary? We asked renowned experts the most important 100 questions about parenting. The result is the most comprehensive dossier in the history of the Swiss parenting magazine Fritz+Fränzi: 100 questions - 100 answers.
  • André Stern, should children not be given any boundaries?
    Children can acquire the knowledge they need for life on their own, says André Stern. The free learner talks about the value of free play, motivation through enthusiasm and why we need a new attitude towards our children.
  • Why don't you let your children have a say?
    In one respect, children are no different from adults: they react to paternalism with protest and refusal. It would make more sense to involve them in decisions.
  • «Parental presence is just as important as children's independence»
    What worries and concerns do families have today? For the Helicopter Parents dossier, author Sandra Casalini spoke to parents about various family and parenting issues. Here, Rahel Strebel, an art historian training to become a design teacher, and Andreas Abegg, a lawyer and lecturer from Zurich, parents of Linus, 13, Flurin, 11, and Mina, 9, talk about their experiences.