PsychologySeptember 4, 2026
permissiveness
per-MISS-iv-ness
Definition
The practice or policy of being lenient, tolerant, or inclined to allow behavior that might otherwise be prohibited or restricted.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'permissio' (meaning 'to allow' or 'surrender'), the word evolved through Middle English to describe the act of giving consent or authorization, eventually shifting to its modern connotation of excess tolerance.
In the news
The article uses the word to explain that being empathetic toward a child's emotions does not require a parent to be overly lenient or abandon clear behavioral boundaries.
When your child saves the meltdown for you
Read the full article ↗The Daily Post-Athenian