Conditional parental love- Is it the way to go?

While some children would be celebrating the attachments they have with their parents on these days, others are usually left wishing they too could have reasons to join the celebrations.

It seems that it is becoming increasingly common for parents to use Parental Conditional Regard (PCR) on children and adolescents to control them. Parental Conditional Regard refers to situations in which children and adolescents are made to feel that they only deserve to be loved and appreciated by their parents when they have attained parentally valued outcomes. In situations where children and adolescents fail to meet parents’ expectations, affection and appreciation are withdrawn. It is important to note that Parental Conditional Regard is not the same as constructive feedback. The latter is important in promoting communication by giving praise where it is due or expressing displeasure about an undesirable behaviour, and it does not involve withdrawal of affection and appreciation.