It is every dependent’s right to have firm guidelines and limits. These limits ensures to a dependent what is expected of them, knowing how far they can go and how to respect others. By dependents knowing these things they have higher chance of conforming to societal and family expectations. Parents are able to contribute in building a positive relationship with their dependent when they set limits as it ensures to the child what they can and cannot do according to their parent’s expectations. Gender and culture can influence the limits that parents set for their children however, to which extent gender and culture can influence parents, depend on the dependents age. For example, a 5 year old dependent’s parent may set limits such as not allowing their dependent to jump on their beds, or climb up trees as their safety is placed the most important. Hence safety being the factor influencing the parents more when setting limits to their dependent rather than being influenced by culture and gender due to the age of the dependent.
Setting limits is a responsibility of a parent that enables them to build a positive relationship with their dependent. By parents showing interest in their dependent’s behaviours they can contribute in building a positive relationship with their dependent as they monitor their dependent’s behaviour. For example every time the dependent asks or receives something the parent may teach them to say please and thank you to build respect in the relationship. By children learning about respect, they value the limits set by their parents. For example a 5 year old dependent may go to sleep on time, without the parent telling them to do so. This highlights that the dependent values the limits set for them and in return the parent may show love and affection as their dependent takes their expectations into consideration. This contributes to parents building a positive relationship with their dependent as the parents expectation has been met by their dependent which reduces the chance of conflict from occurring as there is a mutual understanding between the parent and the dependent.
This also satisfies the dependent’s emotional well-being as the limits set by their parents are there to protect and keep the dependent safe as the parent care for their dependent’s specific need of safety and security.