Children model themselves largely on
their parents. They do so mainly through identification. Children identify{{U}}
(56) {{/U}}a parent when they believe they have the qualities and
feelings that are{{U}} (57) {{/U}}of that parent. The things parents do
and say--and the{{U}} (58) {{/U}}they do and say to them-- strongly
influence a child's{{U}} (59) {{/U}}. A parent's
actions{{U}} (60) {{/U}}affect the self image that a child forms{{U}}
(61) {{/U}}identification. Children who see mainly positive qualities
in their{{U}} (62) {{/U}}will likely learn to see themselves in a
positive way. Children who observe chiefly{{U}} (63) {{/U}}qualities in
their parents will have difficulty{{U}} (64) {{/U}}positive qualities in
themselves. Children may{{U}} (65) {{/U}}their self image, however, as
they become increasingly{{U}} (66) {{/U}}by peer groups:
In the case of a dramatic change in family relations, the{{U}} (67)
{{/U}}of an activity or experience depends on how the child interprets it.
Children interpret such events according to their established attitudes and
previous training. Children who know they are loved can, {{U}}(68)
{{/U}}, accept the divorce of their parents or a parent's early{{U}}
(69) {{/U}}. But if children feel unloved, they may interpret such
events{{U}} (70) {{/U}}a sign of rejection or
punishment.