Overview of Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Children

According to Webster’s dictionary, the definition of parenting is of “the process of raising and educating a child from birth to adulthood.” Have you ever pondered on how different you would be if your parents would have raised you differently? Everyone was raised differently, therefore we all will be different types of parents. We may cherish the way our parents raised and disciplined us, so we’ll utilize those techniques when we become parents. On the other side, we may despise the way our parents raised and disciplined us, therefore we’ll create our own techniques based on what we would have preferred as a child when it comes to raising our children. As a 43 year old mother, I’m proud of the way my parents raised and disciplined me and I’m proud of the way I’ve raised my daughter, nieces and nephews. As a parent, I’ve constantly asked myself, “why is parenting so hard?” At one point in time, I wondered if a mother should automatically know how to handle and raise an infant, if this is her first child. There’s a conflict when it comes to parenting. There’s a significant difference between the biological needs of a child and cultural needs that have been placed by society. For starters, we cannot say that one particular way of parenting is “the right way”. Every parent should trust their techniques of parenting as the best as long as there is no abuse involved. Permissive parenting, Authoritarian parenting and authoritative parenting are the three main parenting styles. Each parenting style is different and produce different types of results. The next few paragraphs will give an overview of these techniques and we’ll be able to compare each.
According to research, Mr. and Mrs. Harsh-Heart can be categorized as authoritaria...

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...uthoritarian, authoritative and permissive. These parenting styles are classified by communication, expectations of children, disciplinary strategies and warmth and nurture. Based on research, there is a link between how children are raised and the child’s behavior. The authoritarian style is the more strict, where the demands are high and punishment is strictly enforced. Authoritative parents enforce rules, but are emotionally supportive. They will listen to their children’s opinions and allows them to negotiate. Permissive parents have a “no discipline” policy and will never resort to punishing their children, but more so of bribing them with food and gifts to behave. Parents play an important role in the development of their children. No matter what parenting you choose, you will have a positive or negative impact on your child’s development. Choose wisely.