It’s not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.
This was the quote from Ann Landers.
I hate to discourage you guys from actually believing her but then I got to say that I disagree with her a teeny-tiny bit.
When she said that it’s not what you do for your children, but what you teach them…..well….
It’s always going to be a combination of both.
What I mean is children do learn your gestures, actions, and way of perception to a degree on how you see the world.
Also, it might surprise you but the relationships that you share with others and the way you treat your child as well as others is what your child will learn and try to mimic.
And that’s how important Parenting can be.
How you parent your kids is how they will come out to the world as people of significance.
The quality of parenting and guidance given by the parents to their children plays a heavy role in influencing the way they see the world and the way they perceive the basic concepts of life such as love, relationships, work, studies, language, communication, and health- both mental and physical, etc.
So, enough of the vague introduction, let’s dive deep into what parenting styles are, the types of parenting styles, and the effect of different parenting styles.
Parenting Styles
What is Parenting Styles?
Well, Parenting styles refer to the way in which parents interact with their children and the strategies they use to influence their behavior.
It comprises all you do with your child, in front of your child, be it your actions, behavior, gestures, language and communication, everything. It relates to your particular type of parenting style.
Now,
What are the four different types of parenting styles?
There are four main parenting styles:
- Authoritative Parenting Style,
- Authoritarian Parenting Style,
- Permissive Parenting Style, and
- Uninvolved Parenting Style.
Where Authoritative parenting is characterized by high levels of involvement and responsiveness, while at the same time setting clear boundaries and expectations,
Authoritarian parenting is marked by strict rules and expectations, with little to no flexibility.
On the other hand, Permissive parenting is marked by low levels of structure and control, high levels of warmth and nurturing, and
Uninvolved parenting is marked by a lack of involvement and responsiveness in the child’s life.
Let’s read about these four types of parenting styles in detail.
1. Authoritative Parenting
What is an Authoritative Parenting Style?
An Authoritative Parenting Style is a style of parenting that is characterized by high warmth and high control.
Parents who use this type of parenting style are both demanding but also responsive to their children’s needs.
Authoritative Parents set clear expectations and rules and enforce them consistently.
They communicate effectively and openly with their children, allowing them to have a say in decision-making.
Authoritative parents are firm but also loving and supportive, providing their children with the structure and security they need to learn and grow while having high expectations of them.
Authoritative parents provide their children with praise and support and are willing to listen to their children’s concerns and provide guidance when needed.
This style of parenting is considered to be the most effective for promoting positive outcomes for children.
The authoritative parenting style encourages children to be independent and self-reliant while providing them with clear rules and guidelines.
Effect of Authoritative Parenting Style on Children
The authoritative parenting style is considered to be the most effective parenting style of all.
Research has shown that children raised in an authoritative parenting style are more successful, independent, and self-reliant than those raised in other parenting styles.
Children brought up by authoritative parents also tend to have better relationships with their parents and peers, higher self-esteem, and better academic performance.
Additionally, these children are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as drug and alcohol use, and are more likely to be well-adjusted.
An authoritative parenting style makes a child grow up to be good communicators on their behalf and they set clear boundaries with people which is extremely necessary.
This parenting style has been shown to have a positive effect on children in terms of good psychological well-being.
Children who grow up in an authoritative parenting style are more likely to make healthy decisions and be resilient in the face of challenges.
Additionally, authoritative parenting has been linked to lower levels of problem behaviors such as delinquency, substance use, and aggression.
2. Authoritarian Parenting
What is an Authoritarian Parenting Style?
Authoritarian parenting style is a type of parenting style characterized by high expectations of conformity, and little to no communication.
This parenting style is often seen as strict and controlling, with parents expecting children to obey without question.
It is also seen in a lot of authoritarian parenting styles that parents may use punishments or rewards to ensure obedience.
This type of parenting style emphasizes obedience and respect for authority but may lack warmth and affection, the emotional content that makes up any relationship in this world.
Children of authoritarian parents often feel that their opinions are not valued or respected and may be less likely to express their feelings or ask questions.
Parents with an authoritarian style have very high expectations of their children.
Children of authoritarian parents are expected to follow the rules without question and consequences are often used to enforce compliance.
Parents with an authoritarian style of parenting tend to be less nurturing and more controlling, often using harsh punishments and criticism to keep their children in line.
While this style of parenting can be effective in some cases, it can also lead to feelings of resentment and frustration in children.
Effect of Authoritarian Parenting Style on Children
The effect of the authoritarian parenting style on children is largely negative.
This parenting style is characterized by strict rules that must be followed without any explanation or negotiation.
Children who are raised with an authoritarian parenting style often lack self-esteem, struggle with problem-solving skills, and find it difficult to make and maintain relationships.
Children who are a product of an authoritarian parenting style may also become anxious, depressed, and have difficulty expressing themselves.
Additionally, these children may have difficulty with self-regulation, leading to behavioral problems.
In the long term, authoritarian parenting can lead to a lack of resilience and the inability to cope with adversity in children and there is nothing weaker than that.
3. Permissive Parenting
What is a Permissive Parenting Style?
Permissive Parenting Style is a style of parenting in which parents are generally responsive to their children, but place few demands or controls on them.
Permissive parents tend to be non-punitive, and easily give in to their children’s demands, needs, and desires, often giving in to them to avoid confrontation.
Permissive Parents also often fail to set clear rules or limits and may be overly indulgent.
This parenting style can lead to children who lack self-control and may be more likely to engage in problem behaviors.
It is a type of parenting style in which parents are very accepting and lenient.
This parenting style can lead to children having a lack of self-control, feeling entitled, and having trouble in school or with their peers.
Effect of Permissive Parenting Style on Children
The permissive parenting style has both positive and negative effects on children.
On the positive side, children raised with a permissive parenting style often grow up to be self-confident, independent thinkers who are able to problem solve and make decisions on their own.
Additionally, children brought up with a permissive parenting style often have strong social skills and a strong sense of self-esteem.
On the negative side, children raised with a permissive parenting style can be prone to mood swings, have difficulty focusing and following directions, and may be more likely to struggle with peer pressure.
Children brought up with this type of parenting style may also lack the ability to delay gratification and tend to be less responsible and more likely to take risks.
Research has shown that children with permissive parents can have difficulty making decisions, lack self-control and self-discipline, lack impulse control, and have difficulty managing their emotions.
Children brought up with this parenting style may also be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, delinquency, and early sexual activity.
Furthermore, children with permissive parents may struggle academically as they are not held accountable or taught the importance of hard work.
Ultimately, permissive parenting can lead to long-term negative consequences for children, including an increased risk of developing mental and behavioral health issues.
4. Uninvolved Parenting
What is an Uninvolved parenting style?
Uninvolved Parenting Style is a type of parenting style characterized by low levels of responsiveness and demandingness.
Uninvolved parents are generally unresponsive to their children’s needs and do not place any demands on their behavior.
Uninvolved parents are generally not interested in their children’s lives and do not provide guidance or discipline.
This parenting style is associated with low self-esteem, delinquent behavior, and low academic achievement in children.
Uninvolved parenting is a parenting style also characterized by little to no communication.
These parents may provide basic needs, but show no interest in their child’s growth and development.
This style of parenting can lead to a number of negative outcomes, including poor academic performance, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems.
Effect of Uninvolved Parenting Style on Children
Uninvolved parents are generally unresponsive to their children, are not emotionally involved with them, and do not provide either physical or psychological support.
The effects of uninvolved parenting on children can be quite serious.
Children who grow up with an uninvolved parenting style often experience feelings of loneliness, rejection, and abandonment. These feelings can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
Children with uninvolved parents also may struggle with emotional regulation and difficulty forming healthy relationships with others.
An uninvolved parenting style can also lead to behavioral problems in children.
These problems can include aggression, defiance, and acting out.
This is because uninvolved parents do not provide the guidance and structure needed for a child to learn appropriate behavior.
As a result, children may not understand the consequences of their actions and may act out in an effort to get attention.
Uninvolved parenting can also lead to academic problems in children.
Without guidance and support, children may not have the motivation to do their best in school.
This can lead to poor grades, difficulty staying on task, and a lack of interest in learning.
Ultimately, uninvolved parenting can have a negative impact on a child’s development and well-being.
And so, it is important for parents to be emotionally and physically involved in their children’s lives in order to provide them with the support and guidance they need to grow into healthy, successful adults.
Conclusion
Parenting styles can have a major effect on a child’s development.
Parenting styles are important because they can have a significant impact on a child’s development.
Different parenting styles can lead to different outcomes for children, such as their academic performance, emotional development, and social behavior.
For example, authoritative parenting styles are associated with children who have higher academic achievement, greater self-control, and fewer behavioral problems, while authoritarian parenting styles are associated with lower academic achievement, poorer self-regulation, and more behavioral problems.
Additionally, there is evidence that children from authoritative, authoritative-democratic, and authoritative-indulgent families have higher self-esteem and social competence than those from authoritarian and permissive families.
Therefore, it is important for parents to be aware of their parenting style and to strive to create a supportive and encouraging environment for their children.
Dr. Sarah Thompson, a child psychologist, explores family dynamics, effective parenting strategies, and child development through extensive research and counseling, offering insightful guidance to nurture healthier and more harmonious parent-child relationships.