Styles of Caregiving in Early Childhood

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The styles of parenting/childrearing are as unique and individualized as is the number of people caring for children. However, there are four primary styles that have been identified as most common among American families according to psychologist Diane Baumrind and later expanded on Eleanor Maccoby, and John Martin. Style was determined according to ratings of responsiveness and caregiver demands (expectations). The styles are: Permissive, Authoritative and Authoritarian and uninvolved. Permissive caregiving is a style of childrearing that is identified by two key traits: nurturing and reluctance to impose limits or boundaries on a child. Permissive caregivers tend to want to be a friend or pal and not an authority figure. Permissive caregivers attempt to develop and shape a child with love, nurturing and the belief that a child has the right to make their own choices regardless of potential outcome. Permissiveness allows a broad range of self-regulation. This can be complicated as caregivers interact in a friendly non-authoritarian manner. Children are essentially left to form their own ideas and opinions as to what is good for them. This theory believes expectations are: the child will self-regulate to the norms and maturity of an adult. This is not always the case. Children cared for with this style are often ill equipped to make positive or informed decisions when faced with moral, ethical or appropriate choices. Children raised in a Permissive style are at higher risk of: Self-centeredness, inability to show compassion or concern for others. Permissively raised children tend to be undisciplined, question authority and generally are non-compliant in a group setting. Permissive children are unable to adapt to routine, au... ... middle of paper ... ...-. Retrieved from http://www.amsciepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pr0.1995.77.3.819 Beaty, J. J. (2014). Observing development of the young child. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, D.C.: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Marion, M. (2011). Guidance of young children. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. NCBI. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791524/ Permissive parenting: A parenting science guide to the research. (n.d.). Permissive Parenting: A Guide for the Science-minded Parent. Retrieved from http://www.parentingscience.com/permissive-parenting.html Types of Parenting Styles. (n.d.). Types of Parenting Styles. Retrieved from http://www.the-positive-parenting-centre.com/types_of_parenting_styles.html

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