What's a Parent's Role?

Take our Authoritative Parenting Test

Find a family therapist near me

Good kids can make catastrophic mistakes—judgment isn't guaranteed by achievement or background.

Social media makes mistakes permanent and their impact wider than ever before.

Parenting should focus on building judgment, not preventing every mistake.

Throughout my career, I've sat in courtrooms, analyzed criminal cases, interviewed victims, worked within the juvenile justice system, and studied human behavior. I've seen heartbreaking situations involving children and young adults from every imaginable background.

One thing I know for sure:

The kids who end up in trouble are not always the kids people expect.

In fact, many are what most people would consider "good kids."

They come from loving homes. They have involved parents. They're athletes, honor students, leaders, and high achievers. They're the kids who seem to be doing everything right.

And yet, I've seen those same young people find themselves facing allegations involving DUI, drugs, assault, hazing, theft, cheating scandals, sexual........

© Psychology Today