Parenting Styles

963 Words2 Pages

There are four parenting styles, which are authoritarian, authoritative, indulgent, and neglectful. In the authoritarian style of parenting, children have to follow strict rules established for them by their parents. Failure to follow these rules will result in punishment. The parents do not explain the reasoning behind the rules. They have high expectations of their children, usually do not respond to them, and will withdrawal love from children. Some parents may engage in psychological control of their children. They will put down the child’s friends, decisions, schooling, and ideas. According to Baumrind, these parents "are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation" (Baumrind, 1991). Children of these parents are most likely to be obedient and proficient, but they are, also, anxious, unhappy, hostile, aggressive, and have low self-esteem (Santrock, 2012). Authoritative parents like to establish rules and guidelines for their children to follow. These parents will listen to and respond to their children’s questions and concerns. These parents tend not to punish the children, they are more nurturing, forgiving, and supportive (Santrock, 2012). They show trust in them and they tend to have higher self-esteem and grades. They want their children to be assertive, socially responsible, and self-regulated. These children tend to have all of these attributes and they are likely to comply with reasonable and fair control. Parents who use the indulgent parenting style (permissive parenting) tend to be warm, inattentive, over-indulgent, place little or no demands, and grant inappropriate autonomy. These parents rarely discipline their children because they have relatively low... ... middle of paper ... ...and not get into trouble. They were there through the good times and bad. As I have gotten older, I have come to the realization that I do not know enough. Their experiences taught them and mine have taught me. I have relied on my mother and father for lots of things, from advice, help with kids, and financial support. They have always been there for me no matter what and I realize that they did what they did out of love. We seldom have any conflicts, now. We can sit down and have adult discussions. They do not always agree with my choices but they do support me. They tell my brother and me that we are adults and they cannot tell us what to do. I respect and love them the same as they do me. Ours roles are slowly reversing. They are getting older, their health is failing, and I find them relying on me more. I am happy to do for them what they have done for me.

More about Parenting Styles

Open Document