A relatively recent phenomenon would seem to be parents' lack of ability to control their children - and how this lack of discipline has reversed the previous situation and led to children's abusive control of their parents in some cases.  

Read about Supernanny, a TV programme helping despairing parents, and listen to part of a psychology lecture talking about the abuse some parents suffer.

With this article you will find out about:

• today's problems
  relating to parenting and dealing with abusive children
• language
  vocabulary relating to good and bad behaviour, phrasal verbs and verbs expressing aggression