Parenting in the face of social coercion

Faced with coercive dominance, we must raise our children’s awareness about the mechanics of the pack. Talk openly about the difference between being feared and being liked. Help them understand that the children inside the pack are trapped in an anxious loop of performance, while the parents driving that behavior are modeling deep-seated insecurity. When you name the behavior accurately—shifting the label from “popular” to “scared and aggressive”—you strip away its social currency and protect your child’s developing self-worth.

If you would like to work with me to explore this in more detail, please get in contact.

Chris Warren-Dickins
Psychotherapist in New Jersey and the United Kingdom