As a parent I would like to ask you a question. Did you know there is four different types of parenting. I thought we could take a closer look at each of these four parenting styles and the impact they can have on a child’s behavior.
Authoritarian Parenting
One of the four major styles identified by Baumrind was the authoritarian style. In this sort of parenting, children are expected to follow the strict rules established by the oldsters. Failure to follow such rules usually leads to punishment.
While these parents have high demands, they’re not very aware of their children. They expect their children to behave exceptionally and not make errors, yet they supply little or no direction about what their children should do or avoid within the future. Mistakes are punished, often quite harshly, yet their children are often left wondering exactly what they did wrong.
Despite having such strict rules and high expectations, they are doing little to elucidate the reasoning behind their demands and easily expect children to obey without question.
Is this your style of parenting because it isn’t mine nor was it my parents style. Thank the LORD for that.
Authoritative Parenting
A second major style identified by Baumrind was the authoritative style. However, this parenting style is much more democratic.
Authoritative parents are aware of their children and willing to concentrate on questions. These parents expect tons of their children, but they supply warmth, feedback, and adequate support.
When children fail to satisfy their expectations, these parents are more nurturing and forgiving instead of punishing.
Baumrind suggested that these parents “monitor and impart clear standards for his or her children’s conduct. They are assertive, but not intrusive and restrictive. Their disciplinary methods are supportive, rather than punitive. They want their children to be assertive also as socially responsible, and self-regulated also as cooperative.”
It is this mix of expectation and support that helps children of authoritative parents develop skills like independence, self-control, and self-regulation.
Again this isn’t my styles. Is this yours?
Permissive Parenting
The third style identified by Baumrind was what is known as the permissive style of parenting. Permissive parents are sometimes mentioned as indulgent parents, they have only a few demands to form their children. These parents rarely discipline their children because they need relatively low expectations of maturity and self-control.
They are nontraditional and lenient, don’t require mature behavior, allow considerable self-regulation, and avoid confrontation.”
Permissive parents are generally nurturing and communicative with their children, often taking over the status of a friend than a parent.
I could say this is more than David and I. How about you?
Uninvolved Parenting
In addition to the three major styles introduced by Baumrind, psychologist Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin proposed a fourth style that is known as uninvolved or neglectful parenting. While these parents fulfill the child’s basic needs, they’re generally detached from their child’s life. They might make sure that their kids are fed and have shelter, but offer little to nothing in the way of guidance, structure, rules, or even support. In extreme cases, these parents may even reject or neglect the requirements of their children.
Among the findings of these studies
Authoritative parenting styles tend to end in children who are happy, capable, and successful.
Permissive parenting often leads to children who rank low in happiness and self-regulation. These children are more likely to experience problems authoritatively and have a tendency to perform poorly in class.
Why authoritative parenting provides such an advantage?
Because authoritative parents are more likely to be viewed as reasonable, fair, and with great care, their children are more likely to suits the requests that these parents make. Also, because these parents provide rules also as explanations for these rules, children are far more likely to internalize these lessons.
Rather than simply following the rules because they fear punishment (as they might with authoritarian parents), the children of authoritative parents can see why the rules exist, understand that they are fair and acceptable, and strive to follow these rules to satisfy their own internalized sense of what’s right and wrong.
Of course, the parenting sorts of individual parents also combine to make a singular blend in each family. For example, the mother may display an authoritative style while the daddy favors a more permissive approach.
This can sometimes lead to mixed signals or even situations where a child seeks approval from the more permissive parent to get what they want. To create a cohesive approach to parenting, parents must learn to cooperate as they combine various elements of their unique parenting styles.
Parenting styles are associated with different child outcomes and thus the authoritative style is typically linked to positive behaviors like strong self-esteem and self-competence. However, other important factors including culture, children’s perceptions of parental treatment, and social influences also play a crucial role in children’s behavior.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
