NUS research reveals how parenting styles influence children’s honesty

June 9, 2026 - 18:11

Many parents believe that strict punishment for lying will teach a child to be honest. But new research from the National University of Singapore suggests the opposite may be true. The study, which drew on two long-term projects tracking Singaporean families, found that both overly strict and punitive parenting styles are linked to higher rates of dishonesty in children.

The researchers observed that children raised in very strict homes often learned to lie not because they were morally confused, but because they were afraid. When the cost of telling the truth is a harsh punishment, a child quickly figures out that a lie is safer. The study also looked at the other end of the spectrum. Surprisingly, overly permissive parenting did not produce more honesty either. Children in those homes sometimes lied to avoid disappointing parents who set few boundaries.

The findings suggest that the sweet spot is an authoritative style, not authoritarian. Parents who set clear rules but also explain the reasons behind them, and who respond to mistakes with guidance rather than anger, tend to raise children who are more willing to tell the truth. The research adds to a growing body of evidence that fear-based discipline often backfires, teaching kids to hide their mistakes rather than correct them.