not to mention how happy these 'better children' are, the prevalence of anxiety and depression across all samples - strict environments without nurture do not end well
Strictness and nurture are hardly in diametric opposition, but they may be difficult for some people to balance. Some parents have more self discipline, set a better example and better compartmentalise and in doing so are able to have it all. In other cases (Economic and social factors all contributing, but a lot of it will be the individuals character and own upbringing) discipline will get mixed up with capricious behaviour based on the parents mood and in contradiction to the parents own behaviour. It is this more chaotic version of 'strictness' (the beginning of the abuse spectrum perhaps) which is likely to contribute to mental health issues later in life.
I think currently there is an additional difficulty that has arisen with the infantalisation of a generation of adults who are uncomfortable with a proper adult-child sepearation and would rather befriend their children for their own emotional needs. The problem with this is (unless you are unfathomably charismatic) you cannot be all people to someone. A friendship relationship is one of equals and probably not what the child needs as it undermines authority which is the basis of discipline.
Just some personal thoughts on the matter (from the UK).
I think currently there is an additional difficulty that has arisen with the infantalisation of a generation of adults who are uncomfortable with a proper adult-child sepearation and would rather befriend their children for their own emotional needs. The problem with this is (unless you are unfathomably charismatic) you cannot be all people to someone. A friendship relationship is one of equals and probably not what the child needs as it undermines authority which is the basis of discipline.
Just some personal thoughts on the matter (from the UK).