Stay mean, mamas. Studies claim girls with nagging mums are more successful

Feeling bad for constantly being on your daughter’s back over finishing her homework and doing well in school? Don’t. She will probably thank you for it later in life.

According to a study conducted by the University of Essex in England, girls with pushy mums grow up to be more successful than children with mums who let them off the hook.

From 2004 to 2010, researchers followed the lives of 15,500 girls between the ages 13 and 14 and found that the girls with moms who set high standards for them growing up were more likely to go on to college and earn higher wages. Oh, and another bonus? These same girls were also less likely to become pregnant as teens, too.

Looks like a little nagging isn’t so bad after all, no?

The findings, presented to the conference of the Royal Economic Society, reveal how parents with high expectations can reduce a teenager’s chance of becoming pregnant by four per cent compared to parents with ‘middling aspirations’.

Now, we know going tough on teens will more than likely result in a few less-than-nice words being uttered and some doors slammed, but at least now you can console yourself that it’s worth it in the end – being a pushy parent is the best way to prepare her for success. Go Tiger Mamas!

The University of Essex study said the benefit of pushy parents was most marked among the least academic teenagers, who often have no friends or teachers willing to encourage them.