Your style of parenting can impact everything about your child. It’s essential to make sure your child-nurturing approach is promoting healthy development and growth because the way you communicate with your child and how you control her will affect her forever.
There are major types of parenting styles:
- Authoritative
- Authoritarian
- Permissive
- Uninvolved
Each style of parenting has a different approach and they can be distinguished by a couple of unique traits and the effects on a child’s behavior.
1. Authoritative parenting
Do these statements ring a bell on you, or do they sound like you?
You exert effort into nurturing and keeping a good relationship with your child. You enlighten them on the reasons behind your authority.
You set rules and give consequences, however, you must think about your child’s emotions.
If those descriptions sound familiar, then consider yourself an authoritative parent. Kids nurtured with authoritative education tend to be cheerful and successful. Also, they are good at decision-making and assessing safety risks on their own.
Authoritative parents always set rules and use consequences, though, they also think of their child’s feelings. They approve their opinions, while also setting the record straight that they’re in control.
They devote time and energy to ensuring they prevent any behavior problems that might occur. Authoritative parents also employ positive punishment methods to support good conduct, like praise and prizes.
Experts have observed children who have authoritative parents are probably to become responsible grownups who are comfortable conveying their views or feelings.
2. Authoritarian parenting
You believe children should be observed and not listen to. When it comes to laws, parents believe it’s “my way or the highway.”
Kids who have strict authoritarian parents most likely to always obey rules. But their respect comes at a price.
Children of this type of parenting style are at greater risk of developing confidence problems since their feelings aren’t appreciated. They also become unfriendly or aggressive. Instead of thinking on how to eventually accomplish things better, they focus on the rage they have toward their parents.
Since these parents are strict, their kids may grow up to become expert liars to avoid being punished.
Authoritarian parents don’t think of their child’s feelings.
If any of those sound familiar to you, then you’re an authoritarian parent. You think children should adhere to the rules without immunity.
You are known for the line “Because I said so,” when a kid asks an explanation for the rule.
They will not entertain negotiation and their emphasis is on respect.
Authoritarian parents don’t allow their children to participate in obstacles or problem-solving tests. Rather, they impose the rules and implement the consequences with little consideration for a kid’s view.
You use penalties instead of obedience. They make kids feel sorry for their faults rather than teaching them how to make better choices.
3. Permissive parenting
Do these statements describe you?
You impose rules but don’t apply them. You think your kids will learn and realize best with little intervention from you. You don’t give punishment very often.
If you can relate to those statements, you might be a permissive parent. You are forgiving and embrace the popular attitude of “kids will always be kids.” You are relaxed and only start to meddle when there’s a really serious problem.
Children who grow with permissive guardians are more likely to have difficulty in studying. They may show more social problems as they don’t understand the rules and authority. They usually have low confidence and may have depression or anxiety.
They are also prone to health disorders such as obesity because their permissive parents are not strict in limiting junk food consumption. These kids are more likely to have dental cavities because their parents don’t implement good hygiene habits, most especially dental health like making sure the kid brushes his teeth 3x a day.
Permissive parents are more of a friend than a parent. They often invite their kids to talk to them about their problems and concerns, but they don’t devote time and effort when it comes to their bad behavior or disappointing poor choices.
When they impose and use punishments, they don’t stick to those consequences. They often take it back if a kid pleads or allow him or her to leave of time-out early if he vows to be kind and won’t do it again.
4. Uninvolved parenting
Are you familiar with these statements?
You don’t spend time with your kid.
You don’t know where your kid is or who are his acquaintances.
You don’t have an idea about his school, activities, and homework.
If those observations are more likely you, therefore, you’re an uninvolved parent. These parents have little or no knowledge of what their kids are into.
Children who grew up with uninvolved parents are deemed to struggle with confidence issues. They tend to do poorly in school and its activities. Also, they show behavior issues and become more of a sad person.
There tend to be limited rules. These kids may not be given much nurturing, guidance, and parental care.
They may be careless but it’s not always purposeful. For example, a guardian with a mental health disorder or substance abuse issues may not be able to protect a kid’s physical and emotional needs daily.
These parents trust kids to raise themselves. Uninvolved parents don’t put much effort into knowing the basic needs of their children.
At some other time, they lack understanding about child growth. And occasionally, they are exhausted with other problems like paying bills, work, and their household.
A word from us
At times parents don’t belong to just one type, so don’t be disheartened if there are days or areas where you become permissive and sometimes you are more authoritative.
Researches show, however, that the best parenting style is authoritative parenting. But even if you’re more identified with other parenting styles, there are ways you can do to become a more authoritative parent or guardian.
You can be the best parent you can be with dedication and commitment. You can keep a great attachment with the child while healthfully establishing your authority. And ultimately, your child will learn a lot from your authoritative parenting style.
Read also:
- What Are The Baumrind Parenting Styles?
- The Democratic Parenting Style: How Effective Is This?
- How Cultures Around the World Affect Parenting Styles?
