Parenting Styles and Their Effects
Once we become parents, one question never leaves our minds. Am I a good parent? What should I do to raise my kid? Since children do not come with instruction manuals, parents frequently find it difficult to figure out how to raise mentally strong, well-rounded, and successful children. While some parents are stern, others are forgiving. Some are vigilant, while others are distant. I’m sure a lot of you are interested in learning the best or most efficient parenting techniques. That answer is not set in stone, and throughout the next few paragraphs I will break down different parenting styles.
The four types of parenting styles are also known as:
● Authoritative (Democratic)
● Authoritarian (Disciplinarian)
● Permissive (indulgent)
● Neglectful (uninvolved)
Let’s understand the traits of each style.
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritarian parents have high expectations for their children’s accomplishments and maturity, but they are also kind and sensitive. Authoritarian parents are caring and encouraging. They value their children’s autonomy, give them plenty of freedom, and foster independence. Children of authoritarian parents are more likely to…
● Appear to be comfortable and joyful.
● Are more independent and active.
● higher academic achievement.
● interact with peers.
● have better mental health:
● – low levels of depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, aggression, and drug and alcohol usage
Authoritarian Parenting
The authoritarian style is defined by high levels of parental control and low levels of parental response. While authoritarian and authoritarian approaches have similar names and both require high standards, authoritarian parents expect blind obedience with justifications such as “because I said so.” Through strict regulations and orders, they only allow one-way contact. Any attempt to reason with them is interpreted as backtalk.
Children of authoritarian parents are more likely to…
● Have a negative attitude.
● Be less self-sufficient and act insecure.
● Have poor self-esteem.
● Demonstrate increased behavioural issues or conduct
● More outbursts of rage.
● Academic performance is deteriorating.
● Possess less social awareness.
Permissive Parenting
These kind and indulgent parents do not enjoy saying no or disappointing their children. Permissive parents have few norms and limits and are hesitant to enforce them. Permissive parents’ children had the lowest outcomes:
● Rules are not followed.
● Have a lack of self-control.
● You have egocentric traits.
● More issues arise in personal or social relationships
Neglectful (uninvolved) Parenting
Neglectful parents do not establish solid limits or high expectations. They are uncaring of their children’s well-being and are uninvolved in their lives. These uninvolved parents could have suffered from mental health problems in their childhood, such as depression, physical abuse, or child neglect. Children of inattentive parents are more likely to
● They are more impulsive.
● Cannot self-regulate emotion.
● Encounter more delinquent behaviour and addiction problems.
● Have more mental issues—e.g., suicidal behaviour in adolescents.
Which Parenting Style is The Most Effective?
Preschoolers exhibited distinctly different types of behavior. The parenting style you choose for your child is not a result of “right” or “wrong.” Each style simply represents what’s most important to the parent.
Some parents are highly structured and discipline their children with authoritative parenting. This style advocates enforcing predetermined boundaries, generously rewarding good behavior and having a one-size-fits-all approach to raising their children.
On the flip side, uninvolved parents allow their children to run amok without providing any guidelines or boundaries, thereby prohibiting much-needed guidance and care in critical stages of brain development.
Authoritarian parents are among those with low father involvement. However, they impose restrictions on their children, such as withholding privileges or a popular item as punishment if they exceed any type of limit they set.
Fathers of permissive children were significantly less likely to exercise control and discipline than fathers of authoritarian or uninvolved fathers. These fathers were uncomfortable in their role as paternal authority figures, and wives often operated as the dominant parent.”
