The Four Parenting Styles and Children's Outcomes

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As a parent, I’ve made it one of my life’s goals to influence my children’s social and instrumental development and influence their outcome into adulthood. Many theories of parenting style have been developed over the years. Diana Baumrind has formed four styles of parenting authoritative, permissive, authoritarian, and uninvolved. Although all categories of parenting are associated with the defined styles of parenting, the outcome of the child is as diverse as the parenting types. Authoritative parenting is an affectionate type of parenting. They do discipline their children and show love for them as well. Douglas Hardwick, Ph.D. has stated authoritative parents “set limits for their children and expect their children, to follow family rules”. Children brought up in authoritative parenting homes have the best outcomes, however; not all children are exposed to this type of parenting. Permissive parents are similar to authoritative parents; however they apply diminutive control in their parenting. Rules may be set but are not enforced which makes the child have “lower impulse control and difficulty handling everyday frustrations” according to Dr. Hardwick. In addition to the permissive style parenting that has little control there is still another style that has no control. Authoritarian style parents follow the “because I said so” ruling. Children do not revolve around their lives. Children from authoritarian parents are more likely to be underachievers in their education goals and have meager social skills. Douglas Hardwick, Ph.D. states “the children of authoritarian parents tend to lack initiative and self-reliance”. Finally, uninvolved parents are exactly what the title states uninvolved. Children from these types of parents are more likely to use drugs and have a criminal record by their teen years. Douglas Hardwick, Ph.D. noted “the worst developmental outcomes are associated with uninvolved parenting”.

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