Banning friendships can backfire: Moms who 'meddle' make bad behavior worse

Bad behavior often occurs away from home, leading parents to blame and limit contact with peers. However, a new study shows that banning friendships can backfire, worsening behavior instead of improving it. When moms disapprove of their kids' friends in an effort to curb misbehavior, it often alienates the child from their peers, exacerbating the very issues they aimed to prevent. Meddling in friendships can harm a child's social standing and lead to greater adjustment difficulties.