In the medical community "nonmaleficence" is the ethical obligation not to inflict harm. In medical ethics, the physician's guiding maxim is “First, do no harm.”
The opposite is beneficence (do good); provide benefits to persons and contribute to their welfare. Refers to an action done for the benefit of others.
"Nonmaleficence means non-harming or inflicting the least harm possible to reach a beneficial outcome. Harm and its effects are considerations and part of the ethical decision-making process ..."
Clearly, parenting should come with the same sort of ethical guidance. A parents first obligation to their children is to inflict no harm; or at least to inflict the least amount of harm possible to reach the beneficial outcome.
1) Nonmaleficence - do no harm
2) Beneficence - do good
Evidence-Based Parenting
The research on parenting provides a reasonably clear set of guidelines on what is harmful and what is helpful.
Evidence-based parenting is the most effective approach.
Do the leg work. Do the research.
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