One becomes a parent when they produce an offspring or when they bring up and care for another. Morrison defined parenting as the process of developing and utilizing the knowledge and skills appropriate to planning for, creating, giving birth to, rearing, and providing care for offspring.
Parenting is a huge responsibility in itself. It requires patience, love, and care as it is a life they have to care for and nurture. Parents being the primary caregivers have a profound influence on the upbringing of a child. Locke asserted that an infant mind is considered a tabula rasa, or a blank slate, at birth. It becomes crucial to know what and how to do parenting. According to the Researchers, the kind of parenting style one chooses to support the healthy growth and development of the child depends on the interaction with the child, and how one disciplines a child has a lifelong impact on the child.
Based on the works of developmental psychologist Diane Baumrind (1960), researchers have identified four common parenting styles:
Authoritarian
Authoritative
Permissive
Uninvolved
Authoritarian Parenting
In authoritarian parenting, parents are strict and place high expectations on children with little responsiveness. They focus more on obedience, discipline, and control rather than nurturing your child.
They use a strict discipline style with little negotiation possible. Punishment is common.
Communication is mostly one way: from parent to child. Rules usually are not explained.
Parents with this style are typically less nurturing.
Expectations are high with limited flexibility.
Advantages of authoritarian parenting:
Many people agree that firm parenting is good parenting. When your child knows their boundaries, they may be better able to focus on their performances.
Disadvantages of authoritarian parenting:
The children of authoritarian parents: don’t see their parents as legitimate authority figures. Are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors such as smoking, skipping school, and underage drinking. They may be more depressed than other kids and are more likely to have poor grades.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive or Indulgent parents mostly overindulge their children, and offer limited guidance or direction. They are more like friends than parents.
They have limited or no rules, and mostly let children figure problems out on their own.
Communication is open, but let’s children decide for themselves rather than giving direction.
Parents in this category tend to be warm and nurturing.
Expectations are typically minimal, or not set by these parents.
Advantages of permissive parenting:
Permissive parents are generally loving and nurturing. The children raised with this kind of parenting without boundaries often praise their upbringing and credit it with developing them into independent, decision-making adults.
Disadvantages of permissive parenting:
Kids raised with this kind of parenting can get into a lot of trouble. They are more stressed, and are less mentally healthy than other children. It might also lead to obesity and cavities in children. And are sometimes victims of bullies. Interestingly enough, the bullies tend to be the children of authoritarian parents. And might lead to teenage drinking.
Uninvolved Parenting
Uninvolved parents give children a lot of freedom, and generally stay out of their way. Some parents may make a conscious decision to parent in this way, while others are less interested in parenting, or unsure of what to do.
An uninvolved parent lets a child mostly do what he wants, probably out of a lack of information or care.
Communication is limited.
This group of parents offers little nurturing.
There are few or no expectations of children.
Advantages of uninvolved parenting:
The children raised with this kind of parenting turn out to be resilient, and may become more self-sufficient out of necessity.
Disadvantages of permissive parenting:
Children of neglectful parents have trouble controlling their emotions, are likely to be depressed, have academic challenges, have difficulty with social relationships, are antisocial, and are anxious.
Authoritative Parenting
What is authoritative parenting? Authoritative parents are reasonable, and nurturing and set high, clear expectations. Children with parents who demonstrate this style tend to be self-disciplined, and think for themselves.
Disciplinary rules are clear and understood.
Communication is frequent and appropriate to the child’s level of understanding.
Authoritative parents are nurturing.
Expectations and goals are high, but stated clearly, but the children may have their views regarding the same.
Advantages of authoritative parenting:
An authoritative parent, creates a loving and supportive environment for the children. As a result, the children rate higher on mental health scores, have higher self-esteem and quality of life, and are healthier.
Disadvantages of authoritative parenting:
This kind of parenting requires patience and effort. In addition, rules sometimes have to be altered, which can be hard for kids and their parents.
Authors View
Although, according to the researchers, the authoritative parenting style is the best, and would nurture an independent, self-reliant, and socially and intellectually competent child. It has its own set of cons listed above. And similarly, many other parenting styles are coming up nowadays with their own set of pros and cons. Research suggests that your children will have the healthiest outcomes if you walk the thin line between being nurturing but not too controlling.
Every child is born differently with different parents. Therefore it is crucial to know there is no “one size fits all” in parenting. You don’t need to support just one type, as there may be times when you have to use a diverse parenting approach — but in balance.
The most successful parents know when to change their style, depending on the situation. An authoritative parent, for example, may want to become more permissive when their child is unwell by continuing to provide warmth and letting go of some control. And a permissive parent may be more strict if a child’s safety is at stake, like when crossing a busy street (“You’re going to hold my hand whether you like it or not.”).
If you have parenting questions, talk to your child’s pediatrician. If they can’t help you, they can refer you to a mental health counselor who can.
References
https://www.britannica.com/topic/parenting
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/29/child-psychologist-explains-4-types-of-parenting-and-how-to-tell-which-is-right-for-you.html
https://rogersbh.org/about-us/newsroom/blog/parenting-impacts-your-childs-development
https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/types-of-parenting#authoritative
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