Why Stubborn Kids Tend To Be Successful: Study Reveals

As parents, we all have had those moments where we felt like giving up on disciplining our kids, and just let them do whatever they want. The truth is, kids are stubborn, and sometimes it’s hard for us to get them to comply with our instructions. But according to a new study, there might be a silver lining to stubbornness that we can take comfort in.

The study, which followed over 700 children from the age of 8 up to their 40s, reveals that kids who were stubborn and resistant tend to turn into successful adults. The research is one of the most expansive studies on the subject, seeking to explore the relationship between attitudes and behaviors of children and their success as adults.

The researchers identified personality traits such as pessimism, defiance, and stubbornness in the participants. At the end of the study, they found that the adults who had demonstrated stubbornness as kids earned the highest salaries. These were the people who wouldn’t play by the rules or do as they were told. So, if you’re struggling to get your kids to do something, take heart, as they might just repay you one day with a nice fat paycheck.

The study’s results might seem surprising to some, but they make sense. Kids who refuse to settle for anything less than what they want won’t grow up to accept less prestigious jobs. They are more competitive in the classroom and more likely to fight for their financial interests during salary negotiations and job interviews. Essentially, a kid with a strong will is likely to become an adult with a strong will.

So, how do you know if your child is strong-willed? According to professional therapists, such kids have strong gut reactions that they’ll fight for even when it’s illogical. They go after what they want at any cost. Strong-willed kids are also less likely to succumb to peer pressure, and if parents can keep them motivated, they can become achievers and leaders of their community.

The research is conclusive, even if it doesn’t fully explain the correlation between stubbornness and success. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter why stubbornness leads to success. What’s important is that parents can raise their children to be winners if they have a strong will.

Of course, this study doesn’t consider the career paths, mid-life choices, or life decisions made by these stubborn kids. It merely examines the starting and ending points. It’s possible that all the stubborn kids became career criminals because of their defiance of authority or were more willing to advance their career at the expense of their coworkers, but there’s no evidence to support this. The point is, personality traits are far more reliable predictors of a child’s future financial success than IQ or intelligence.

As parents, it can be challenging to discipline and guide our children. It’s easy to give up when we feel like we’re not getting through to them. However, the study’s results remind us that our kids’ stubbornness might be a good thing. So, the next time you’re in an epic battle over your child refusing to clean their room, take a moment to appreciate their strong will. It might just lead them to financial success down the line.