Yelling at kids: What damage can it do?

I get aggravated when people yell especially at kids. I know a friend way back who yells at her kids all the time. It seems that's the only way she can be heard and get things done. Did you get yelled at a lot when you were a kid? Has it affected your growing up years?

Yesterday, I watched my son and his friend mow my front yard and offered to give them $10. Their both 14 years old and wacky teenagers when they're by themselves, but if there are adults around, they act differently. They were using an electric lawn mower and I showed them how to mow the lawn systematically.

Anyway, I went upstairs and just watched them through the window and see how they go. I saw them laughing, playing and saw the cords get tangled around the trees and bushes and around themselves.

I watched them how they untangle the cord and they would pull it hard and the branches of the trees break and bushes going bald. I called their attention a couple of times but they keep doing it over and over again.

When they finished I said that they did a good job and I made side comment, "but sometimes, I wonder where your common sense have gone boys!" And the other boy said, I have none, I get yelled at a lot so might as well act stupid." I was stunned trying to find words to say, then finally I told the boy nicely that "perhaps if you act smart enough at home, you won't get told off or yelled at as much."