Life Study

Would you think there are more or less strong-willed children. In Dr. Dobson’s book they tested many groups using 35,000 families for their resource (Pg. 29). The data was then analyzed by University of Southern California Computer Center. One of the things they found, there are “twice as many” (Pg. 36) very strong-willed children according to the test studies. Dr Dobson goes on to say, he believes the ratio to be higher because some of the infants within the families had not yet been recognized as strong-willed.

Other findings: (Pg 43-46)

• “There is no strong tendency for temperament to be related to birth order”.
• “There is a slight trend toward compliance for first-born children and strong-willed for secondborn.”
• “Strong-willed males outnumbered females by about 5 percentage points”.
• “About a third (36 percent) of very strong-willed children are recognized at birth”.
• “The data suggests temperament of the child is inherited from the parents”.
• “Only 3 percent of very compliant children go into severe rebellion”.
• “Only 14 percent of very compliant children go into mild rebellion”.
• The very compliant child makes the best social adjustment in adolescence
• The very compliant child has the edge in academic achievement
• The strong-willed child is more easily influenced by group opinion and peer pressure
• The very compliant child has higher self-esteem

The study goes on to explain that 53 percent of the most rebellious children will return to what their parents taught them at home. And 85% of hard-headed, independent children, will eventually lean toward the values taught in their home. 15% reject everything their family stood for. (Pg. 49)

This section of the book goes into much detail about strong-willed children and to sum it up, a strong-willed child can be a good thing if they learn to honor and respect the creator of the universe.

Ps. 34:11
Come children! Listen to me! I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord.