The Four Parenting Styles
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Source link Parenting styles exist on a spectrum, but there are four primary styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Each style of parenting is characterized by different approaches to providing guidance, rules, and structure in the home.
The authoritative style offers the most balanced approach. These parents have high expectations of their children, while cultivating an environment of acceptance, respect, and open communication. They set rules and explain why the family values them, while also recognizing that their children are capable of making informed decisions on their own. This style of parenting encourages problem solving skills, self-discipline, and critical thinking.
The authoritarian style is characterized by strict rules, rigid expectations, and punishment-based discipline. Parents using this style rarely explain the rationale behind their decisions and forbid their children from any type of discussion or dissent. This type of parenting often leads to internalizing behavior, such as a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem, due to the belief that their opinion does not matter.
The permissive parenting style is the opposite of authoritarian. Parents using this approach allow for more freedom, without much parental guidance, leading to children who lack self-discipline and problem solving skills. The parents often do not set expectations, or do not enforce them, ultimately resulting in an unstructured environment.
Finally, uninvolved parenting is the most extreme form of neglect. These parents offer little to no guidance, rules, or structure. Children following this style of parenting generally have difficulty trusting and communicating with people outside of their immediate family.
Each parenting style has both strengths and weaknesses. It is important for parents to find a style that works for them and their family; a style that encourages their children’s natural curiosity and independent thinking. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a safe and positive environment where children can thrive and grow.