Authoritative parenting style is most likely to help children as it balances warmth and support with clear expectations and boundaries.
As a child, I remember my parents had two very different approaches to parenting. My mother was strict and had high expectations for my siblings and me.
She believed in discipline, structure, and order. On the other hand, my father was more laid back and allowed us to make our own decisions.
He believed in giving us freedom and independence.
As an adult now with children of my own, I often find myself questioning which parenting style is best for my kids. Do I follow in the footsteps of my mother or take after my father? Or is there another approach that may be even better?
In this article, we’ll explore the most common parenting styles and their effects on children’s development. We’ll dive into research studies that have been conducted on these styles to determine which one is most likely to help children thrive both academically and socially.
So whether you’re a new parent trying to figure out your approach or someone who wants to understand more about different parenting styles, keep reading! You might just learn something new that could benefit your family’s future success.
Here You Will Learn:
Authoritative Parenting
One of the most popular parenting styles is authoritative parenting. This approach involves setting clear rules and expectations for children while also being warm, responsive, and supportive.
Parents who use this style often explain their reasoning behind rules to help children understand why they are important.
As I researched more about different parenting styles, I found myself drawn to the authoritative approach. It seemed like a good balance between structure and flexibility that could benefit my kids in various ways.
Studies have shown that children raised by authoritative parents tend to have better academic performance, higher self-esteem, stronger social skills, and lower rates of behavioral problems compared to those raised with other types of parenting styles.
I decided to give it a try with my own kids by setting clear boundaries but also allowing them some freedom within those limits. For example, instead of simply telling them not to watch TV during homework time without explanation or discussion as my mother would do; I explained how watching TV can distract from learning which helped them understand why it was important not only for me but for their future success too!
Overall adopting an Authoritative Parenting Style has been beneficial both academically & socially for our family!
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parenting is a style that emphasizes leniency and freedom for children. Parents who adopt this approach tend to be more relaxed and less demanding, allowing their kids to make their own decisions without much guidance or structure.
While permissive parenting may seem like an easy-going way of raising children, it can have negative consequences on a child’s development.
As I reflect on my father’s permissive parenting style from my childhood, I realize that while he gave us the freedom we craved as kids, there were times when his lack of boundaries left us feeling lost and unsure about what was expected of us. We often made poor choices because we didn’t fully understand the consequences or how our actions would impact others.
Research has shown that children raised in permissive households are more likely to struggle with self-control issues such as impulsivity and low frustration tolerance. They may also experience difficulty with academic achievement due to a lack of structure at home.
While some parents believe in giving their children complete autonomy over decision-making processes, it is important for them not to forget the importance of setting limits and providing guidance when necessary. Children need clear expectations so they can learn how to navigate life successfully both inside and outside the home environment.
Authoritarian Parenting
One of the most common parenting styles is authoritarian parenting. This style is characterized by strict rules, high expectations, and little room for negotiation or discussion.
Parents who use this approach often believe that children should obey without question and that discipline should be used to maintain order.
Growing up with an authoritarian mother was not easy. I remember feeling like I had no say in anything and constantly walking on eggshells around her.
While she meant well, her strictness often left me feeling anxious and fearful.
Research has shown that children raised under authoritarian parents may struggle with low self-esteem, poor social skills, anxiety disorders, depression as well as academic difficulties due to a lack of autonomy in decision-making processes at home.
While some level of structure is important for children’s development; too much can have negative effects on their mental health later in life. So if you’re considering using an authoritarian approach to parenting your child/children; it might be worth rethinking your strategy before implementing it fully into your family dynamic.
Uninvolved/neglectful Parenting
One of the most concerning parenting styles is uninvolved or neglectful parenting. This style involves parents who are emotionally detached and provide little to no guidance, support, or attention to their children’s needs.
Children raised in this type of environment often struggle with self-esteem issues, lack social skills and have poor academic performance.
As I reflect on my childhood memories again, I remember a friend whose parents were never around. They would leave her alone for long periods without any supervision or care.
She was always hungry and had to fend for herself at a very young age.
Research shows that children raised by uninvolved/neglectful parents may develop behavioral problems such as aggression towards others due to feelings of abandonment from their caregivers’ lack of involvement in their lives.
It’s important for us as parents not only to provide our kids with basic necessities but also emotional support through active engagement in their lives. Neglecting our responsibilities can lead them down an unhealthy path that could affect them well into adulthood.
Positive Discipline Techniques
As I delved deeper into my research on parenting styles, I came across the concept of positive discipline techniques. Positive discipline is a method that focuses on teaching children appropriate behavior rather than punishing them for their mistakes.
It’s about creating a nurturing and respectful environment where children feel safe to learn and grow.
Positive discipline involves setting clear boundaries and expectations while also giving children opportunities to make choices within those boundaries. For example, instead of saying “no” all the time, parents can offer alternatives or give reasons why certain behaviors are not acceptable.
Studies have shown that positive discipline techniques lead to better outcomes for both parents and children. Children who experience positive reinforcement are more likely to develop self-esteem, empathy towards others, problem-solving skills, emotional regulation abilities as well as academic success in school.
As a parent myself now with years of experience under my belt raising kids using different approaches from both my mother’s strict style and father’s laid back approach; I’ve found that incorporating elements of positive reinforcement has been beneficial in helping me raise happy healthy kids who respect themselves as well as others around them. So if you’re looking for an effective way to help your child thrive academically while also developing important life skills such as empathy towards others or emotional regulation abilities then consider adopting some aspects of this parenting style into your own family dynamic!