According to expert opinions, authoritative parenting is the most effective parenting style. This blog post will analyse what authoritative parenting entails, explain why critical experts consider it the best and compare it to other common parenting styles.
The four main parenting styles, according to psychologists/researchers, include:
- Authoritative Parenting
- Authoritarian Parenting
- Permissive Parenting
- Neglectful (Uninvolved) Parenting
Each style has distinct characteristics and varying impacts on children’s development.
1. Authoritative Parenting Style: The Best Approach
Authoritative parenting is widely recognised as the best method of raising children.
Basically, it’s all about finding the right balance between being firm and kind.
Also, in authoritative parenting, it combines high expectations with empathy and respect. It involves being responsive and nurturing to the children’s needs.
Furthermore, it’s about guiding them with a steady hand while giving them the freedom to grow and learn.
Dr. Diana Baumrind, known for her research on parenting styles, identified authoritative parenting as the most effective.
Her research indicates that children of authoritative parents tend to be more competent, self-assured, and socially adept.
How you go about it:
You set clear rules for your children so they know what is expected of them. But you also explain why these rules are essential.
You show your children love and support. You listen to their concerns, comfort them when they are upset, and praise them when they do well.
Also, you allow your children to make decisions independently that are appropriate for their age. This helps them learn to be responsible and confident.
You encourage your children to talk to you about their feelings and thoughts. Also, you have regular, honest conversations where everyone’s voice is heard.
You enforce consequences consistently and fairly when your children break the rules. The goal is to teach them right from wrong, not just to punish them.
Benefits of authoritative parenting include:
– Improved academic performance
– Better social skills
– Higher self-esteem
– Fewer behavioural issues
– Emotional resilience
2. Authoritarian Parenting
Strict rules, high expectations, and little warmth characterise authoritarian parenting.
Parents using this style often expect obedience without question and may use disciplinary measures to enforce laws.
Its consequence is that children raised by authoritarian parents may be obedient and proficient but often suffer from lower self-esteem, higher levels of anxiety, and poorer social skills.
3. Permissive Parenting
Permissive parenting has high warmth and responsiveness as its characteristics, but low expectations and few rules.
Parents using this style are indulgent and may avoid setting boundaries.
Its result is that children of permissive parents may struggle with self-discipline and authority, exhibit behavioural problems, and have difficulty in academic and social settings due to a lack of boundaries and expectations.
4. Neglectful (Uninvolved) Parenting Style
Neglectful or uninvolved parenting is characterised by a lack of responsiveness to a child’s needs.
Parents using this style often disengage, providing little guidance, nurturing, or attention.
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Children raised by neglectful parents may suffer from attachment issues, low self-esteem, and poor academic and social outcomes due to the absence of parental support and guidance.
In summary, authoritative parenting is the most effective among the four main parenting styles, according to experts like Dr. Diana Baumrind, Dr. Laurence Steinberg, and Dr. Carol Dweck.
This style’s combination of high expectations with empathy and support creates a nurturing environment that promotes a child’s academic success, social skills, etc.
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