Children raised by controlling, overbearing parents are more likely to use marijuana than those of parents who rely more on reason and persuasion, according to a new study conducted across six European countries (Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Portugal and the United Kingdom).

For the study, researchers asked more than 7,000 kids between the ages of 11 and 19 to describe the parenting styles of their mothers and fathers, ranging from controlling to lenient. The scientists found that parents who reasoned with their children were most effective in steering them away from pot.

“Our results support the idea that extremes are not effective: Neither authoritarianism nor absence of control and affection,” said study author Amandor Calafat. (Time)

Paul Asay has written for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for PluggedIn and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He recently collaborated with Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, on his book The Good Dad. He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.