Public opinion reflects new stance
The authoritarian parent is usually not very responsive to their children and has high demands of them. They expect and attempt to enforce exemplary behavior from the child, giving little direction as to what that means.
As can be easily imagined, a child who grows up with an authoritarian parent(s) runs the risk of developing self-esteem issues, feeling like their opinions aren’t valid because they weren’t valued in their formative years.
Similar to authoritarian parenting, authoritative parenting also is mainly defined by a style of parenting that includes a lot of rules that children must follow. However, it’s not as strict and is a little more democratic.
With this parenting style, the difference is that parents monitor their children’s behavior and communicate clear standards to them.
Much like the authoritarian style of parenting, the authoritative kind of parent also expects a lot from a child regarding their behavior and performance at school. Still, they provide clear feedback, warmth, and support.
The authoritative parent is willing to listen to a child’s questions. They are more nurturing and forgiving when a child does wrong, as opposed to punishing them.
The children of authoritarian parents tend to follow the rules very strictly, which in some cases comes at a price. The children of these parents tend to rank lower in happiness.
As the title indicates, in this parenting style children must adhere to strict rules set out by the parent, resulting in punishment if not followed.
Research has found that children who grow up with authoritative parents are most likely to grow up to be socially responsible and confident in the validity of their opinions.
The permissive parent will avoid confrontation with the child, and is generally quite nurturing and communicative.
In fact, of all of the parenting styles, this parenting style is most likely to result in happy, capable, and successful adults.
Children who grow up with this parenting style are much more likely to struggle academically and lack discipline.
This parenting style tends to take on the role of a friend to the child rather than one that is typically associated with being a parent.
Children of permissive parents also risk developing physical health issues like obesity and dental hygiene problems because they can lack the discipline to limit their junk food intake.
The authoritarian style of parenting means parents usually don't take time to explain the meaning behind the rules that they've instated and will give reasons to children like “because I said so.”
Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don’t devote much time or energy to their children. It should be said that these parents are suffering from mental health issues themselves in many cases.
Uninvolved parents are characterized by being unresponsive, having minimal demands of the child, and not communicating with the child.
Children of these kinds of parents tend to grow up less happy and are at a higher risk of developing issues with self-esteem.
Because these children don’t see rules enforced very strictly in their formative years, they tend to not respect authority or regulations when they grow up.
In short, for the sake of the children’s well-being, success, happiness, and general performance in life, the style of parenting that is best is the authoritative parent.
Interestingly, it’s also been found that children can affect parenting style, too. For example, kids tend to misbehave not because the parent was too permissive but because the parent gave up on trying to control the child misbehaving.
There are also cultural factors at play. Authoritative parenting, which is proven to produce the best outcomes for European and American families in terms of children’s school performance, doesn’t apply in the same way to African-American or Asian-American children.
Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Parenting for Brain) (Bright Horizons)
The authoritative style of parents strikes a balance in setting rules while not being too strict, and explains to the child the reason for the rules they’ve put in place.
Furthermore, it’s not always the case that the parenting style affects the children in a way that’s expected. Often children with permissive parents behave very well and respect authority and rules, and children with authoritarian-style parents are hell-bent on breaking them.
These parents will tend to have very little knowledge of where their child is or what they’re doing. The child typically won’t receive much guidance, support, or warmth from this style of parent.
Permissive parents can be best understood as indulging in their children’s demands. They will typically go to great lengths to give the child what they need and have low expectations regarding maturity and self-control.
Uninvolved parents may be overwhelmed with work, managing a household and bills, and simply may not have the time or presence of mind to give the child what they need.
How a child is treated has enormous effects on their well-being when they grow up. There is no such thing as “perfect parenting.” However, researchers have found four different parenting styles that parents will loosely fall into.
These styles are authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Each parenting style takes a different approach to raising children and can be identified by specific characteristics. To learn about what these parenting styles are and how they affect children, click through the following gallery.
This style of parenting is assertive and not intrusive or restrictive. These parents are not punitive. They expect their children to be responsible, cooperative, and self-regulated.
Permissive parenting is a style of parenting that is non-traditional in that it is not demanding, and instead is very lenient.
Parenting styles and how they affect children
Are there any of these that you recognize?
LIFESTYLE Family
How a child is treated has enormous effects on their well-being when they grow up. There is no such thing as “perfect parenting.” However, researchers have found four different parenting styles that parents will loosely fall into.
These styles are authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Each parenting style takes a different approach to raising children and can be identified by specific characteristics. To learn about what these parenting styles are and how they affect children, click through the following gallery.