Parenting is not a destination, but a journey. Parents learn and unlearn every single day. Everyone has his/her own approach towards parenting. Our whole idea of writing this post is to make people aware of 4 basic parenting styles. Also we will decipher ‘which parenting style is the best and why?’
Introduction
The way parents communicate with their kids differs across different communities. Not only that, but also it varies widely between households of same community.
A psychologist named Diana Baumrind has broadly identified 4 primary types of parenting styles. But before talking through that, let us know what does it mean by the word ‘parenting style’.
What is parenting style ?
“Parenting style is the behaviour or attitude of parents while interacting with their kids.”
Components of parenting:
This parent and child interaction has two components.
The first component is called ‘warmth’. It is the way parents respond to a child’s emotional needs. To rephrase, ‘warmth’ denotes how much affection parents show towards their kid. It is also described as care / affection / response.
The second crucial component of parenting is “control”. This points how strictly parents set regulations for their kid. “Control” is also titled as discipline/ rule.
Types Of Parenting Style
Based on the balance between warmth and control there are 4 basic styles of parenting.
- Authoritarian
- Permissive
- Authoritative
- Neglectful
Below is a graphic representation of components and types of parenting.
1.Authoritarian parenting style
( high control, low warmth )
This is the kind of parenting where strict control or discipline is utmost important. Child can not ask any question or discuss his/her opinion or problem with parents. Here rules are not flexible.
Parents do not display much affection, in order to make kid keep up with rules. Kid is not allowed to go after his/her interest and is bound to follow what parents decide.
This category of parenting is not pertinent to academics. However there are exceptions. In some part of Asia and China, authoritarian parenting style leads to good academics in kids.
Nevertheless when it comes to decision making as future adult, these kids fail. They become unhappy, anxious individuals in life to come. They are withdrawn from people and avoid social interaction. Thus parents should never practice authoritarian parenting style.
2.Permissive parenting style
( low control, low warmth )
This is a kind of parenting where there is hardly any rule. Here child is the boss. Parents give in to all demands of kid. They are extra friendly and let kid do whatever s/he wants. Family members show way too much affection or warmth towards kid.
These children grown under permissive parenting lack self control and discipline. As a matter of course, they are poor academically.
In general, kids don’t know what is right or wrong for them. And if parents don’t guide, then their energy is channeled in wrong direction. Wherefore kids of permissive parents, get addicted to drugs, alcohol and other malpractices.
3.Authoritative parenting style
( high control, high warmth )
If you are wondering how to develop positive parenting skill, then you should adopt authoritative parenting style. Here the two components, “warmth” and “control” both are high and are balanced as you can see in above picture.
In this, child is shown optimal care. Also s/he is expected to follow certain rules. But unlike authoritarian parenting, here parents spell out why exactly that rule is made. They also exchange views with the child regarding same and listen to their side of story as well.
In authoritative parenting, child can freely ask questions. Child’s opinion is also taken care of. Parents do modify their set of thinking, if they identify that child is right. Herein parents do not impose harsh punishment on kid.
When child of authoritative parents grows up, s/he becomes a happy adult and can take independent decisions. S/he has better self control.
S/he becomes competent in academics and other fields as well. Even, social interaction skills gets polished as child reaches adulthood.
4.Neglectful or uninvolved parenting style
( low control, low warmth )
This is the lousiest category of parenting. In neglectful parenting, both father and mother are not concerned about kid. They neither give out any affection nor set any rule.
This is also called ‘uninvolved parenting’. It happens when parents are busy with something else, for instance career or health issues or any other problem in life. It also becomes a fact in low socioeconomic status families; where parents are tied up with work and child is neglected.
Kids from these uninvolved families suffer from addiction, as they lack guidance. They turn out to be individuals with low self esteem. They suffer from various psychological issues. These kids do not perform well in academics or any other activities.
Over-controlling parenting style
This parenting style has emerged in recent days. Here parents try to control each and everything related to kid. They are overprotective. They solve problems for kid, before s/he brainstorms to find solutions. Parents do not allow child to explore and learn on its own.
It is evident that over-controlling parenting does more harm than good for kid in future.
Summary:
To summarise, authoritative parenting style is the best where parents show love towards kid as well as discipline them. As parent, try to stick to it as much as practically possible.
Conclusion
Parenting is a ride that will take you through highs and lows. You will be dealing with sleepless nights, untold responsibilities and crazy tantrums. And when your patience is being tested, it is quite easy to loose temper.
Just when you are at the edge of losing it out, breathe in and breathe out. And remind yourself that ‘kids are anyway kids’.
Share this article with maximum people out there and let them know what best practices to follow while parenting. Leave your doubts in comment box below.
Caution
All the informations provided here are for educational and awareness purpose only. Kindly do not use these as alternative to medical consultation.
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