Top 10 Causes of a Toxic Home

Parenting styles and family dynamics influence both the present and future well-being of family members. The family is one of the most important socializing agents in the development of a person, if not the most important.

• Recommended article: "Toxic mothers: 12 attitudes that drive children crazy"

Main causes of a toxic home

Households in which there is a balance benefit the mental health of its members, but this is not always the case. There are unstructured homes that cause disorders and great discomfort to their members. Below you can find a list of the main causes of a toxic home.

1. Addiction

Parents are the main socializing agents of children, from birth to adulthood. They are role models and are necessary especially at an early age and, therefore, a good parenting style will positively affect the development of a child.

Although there are many parents who give everything for their children, this is not always the case. Some have harmful behaviors not only towards themselves, but also towards the family environment

. Addiction is, without a doubt, one of the worst ills that a human being can suffer, which also affects the entire family that lives with an addict (either gambling or drugs).

An addicted father will cause financial problems for the family and constant conflicts. And the consequences in the family nucleus are numerous, for example, domestic violence or poor parental education.

2. Bad communication

Communication is key in any relationship., whether as a couple, friends and parents to children. The correct expression of feelings and needs, listening correctly to the needs of children or being clear when exposing the reasons for some family rules influence the climate that can be lived in a family. Poor communication not only creates conflicts, but also makes it difficult to resolve them.

3. overcontrol

Excessively controlling parents cause serious problems for children and hinder the relationship with the couple. And it is that the controlling parenting style uses very strict rules in the family, encouraging obedience and diminishing the well-being of the members. In the case of parents, this parenting style can manifest itself, for example, when they do not let their children go to school events, nor do they allow them to assume responsibilities appropriate for their age. They are usually parents who instill fear in the other members of the family so that they obey them.

4. abuses

Abuse does not have to be physical, but can also be psychological. For example, by verbally insulting, manipulating, or belittling other family members. Abuse is one of the worst family behaviors, making families dysfunctional.

5. Lack of consistency in standards

As I have said, parents are role models within the family, and when they do not comply with the rules, it is difficult for their children to do so. It is important that there is consistency when requiring that children comply with certain rules. For example, if the adolescents in the family are asked not to use their mobile phones in the table, it is not good for parents to be the first to have all the food hooked on the device mobile.

6. perfectionism

Excessively perfectionist parents create dysfunctional families, as their expectations of what family is and what it should be are unrealistic. Perfectionism is not positive at all, neither at the family nor individual level.

• Related article: “Perfectionist Personality: The Disadvantages of Perfectionism”

7. overly demanding parents

And perfectionist parents tend to be very demanding, which makes your children feel great frustration when they don't get what they want. Low frustration tolerance is characteristic of people with low emotional intelligence and in those who enjoy a low level of well-being.

8. Authoritarianism and low tolerance

Authoritarian parents make their children behave in certain ways without regard to their needs and emotions. They tend to be little tolerant and inflexible people and make other family members feel bad. They are prone to aggression, and are characterized by fostering a dysfunctional parenting style.

9. uncaring families

Human beings need affection and we need to be loved., especially from our family. When this does not happen, psychological problems can be devastating when it comes to having close relationships with other people. In these cases, the effect on the emotional level of family members and their well-being will also be. Appropriate communication of emotions and displays of affection are necessary for a non-toxic home.

10. Excess protectionism

However, excessive affection is not beneficial, as it can create weak personalities just like excessive protectionism. Spoiled and overprotected children become people who lack coping and problem solving skills.

You can read our article “Overprotected children: 6 educational errors that harm them” to learn more about this phenomenon.