Others will imitate their parents' methods of disciplining them as they interact with children of their own age. Children identify with adults and peers they love or admire. Sometimes they'll even imitate a person they fear. All children acquire many behaviors by copying what they see others doing. The third important factor that often contributes to aggression is parents' standards of behavior.
Parents often encourage aggressive behavior through the standards communicated to the children.
Mom or Dad might vicariously enjoy and stimulate the child's aggression. A student who flagrantly disobeys his teacher may be doing just what his father always wanted to do, but could never get up enough nerve to do. Herbert Lingren, University of Nebraska-Lincoln family life specialist, said to encourage children to talk about their anger, to tell what's bothering them, even when the hostile feelings are directed at us. Of course, this can hurt, but it gets strong emotion out into the open where it can be handled, he said. Physical exertion through participation in work or sports may serve as a constructive outlet.