An estimated three to four million children between the ages of three and seventeen are at risk of exposure to domestic violence (“Effects”). Even though many spouses never face such extreme cases of violence, many still have discussions filled with tension and contempt. These conflicts, if not addressed properly, can have harmful effects on the children who hear the disputes. To reduce parental conflict that would otherwise harm the child's development, premarital counseling should be made mandatory so that the couple can learn how to properly deal with the conflict, thus aiding in the child's proper behavioral development. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay When people are young, their every need is very important. If any of these needs are not met or are managed incorrectly, their development may be at risk. Of all the stages of life, childhood is one of the most vital. Therefore it is important that every psychological and physical requirement is met. The American Psychological Association stated that by quickly meeting the child's needs, children learn attachment and are further encouraged to trust the outside world (“Essential”). Teaching them to trust the outside world is important because as they grow, they will see the world as inviting and, therefore, will be more likely to explore and learn. When a mother develops a strong relationship with her child, she “protects [the] child from behavioral problems” (Settle 9). One reason may be that the child feels more welcome and knows he or she has support when problems develop. If any of these needs are repeatedly not met, your child's development may be at risk. Of all the dangers that could emerge, parental conflict is one of the greatest factors that inhibit successful development. When conflict between parents occurs in a child's life, their development can be hindered and the lessons they may learn could harm them in the future. Divorce exposes children, but it is domestic violence and conflict that makes them at risk for depression and behavioral problems. If parents are in a state of constant decline, they may lose focus on their child and fail to do so as needed. Parents may therefore not be consistent in disciplining their children. Researchers who examined the effects of discipline found that “inconsistent discipline has been linked to conduct problems, aggression, and juvenile delinquency” (Settle 8). Conduct problems might include vandalism, substance abuse, or bullying. Because of these issues, it is important for parents to continue to work together in all conflicts. Indeed, it is proven that when there is cooperation between parents, even in disagreements, a more positive adjustment of children occurs in their lives (Settle 8). The child learns the correct way to overcome conflicts and will see disagreement as a learning opportunity and not as a situation to be feared. Therefore, it is important that parents are not so overwhelmed by the conflict that it seriously affects the child. It is even more crucial that the conflict affecting the child does not become apparent to the child. Research has shown that “if the conflict was about the child or the marriage, the child's behavior was more aggressive” (Barthassat). Small outbursts of aggression can become more severe and further hinder development. If the child becomes a repeat offender of these outbursts, anger may develop..