Christmas may be a time for family get-togethers but it can also
be a time of tension - and it's often our nearest and dearest
that we argue with the most. While no one likes to fight, it
turns out that having disagreements with your mum could actually
be a positive thing. According to child psychologists, teenagers
who argue with their mums are less likely to succumb to peer
pressure and turn to drink and drugs. Researchers say that it's
better to be honest and open - even if that leads to a row -
than bottle things up, and those of us who are able to stand up
to our mums over disagreements with a boyfriend or college work,
are more likely to resist peer pressure. Experts believe that
arguments with mum, rather than dad, have the most beneficial
effect as we're more likely to use reasoned arguments when
arguing with her than any other family member. Child
psychologists in America looked at the behaviour of both
teenagers – studied from aged 13 to 16 – and their parents. They
discovered: "Teens who more openl