Parenting styles refer to the approaches taken by parents in bringing up their children. There are four parenting styles; authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and uninvolved parenting. The four describe the most common parenting styles adopted by people.
Authoritarian parenting is a parenting style based on rules. Parents set rules that children should strictly follow, failure to which one is punished. Such parents do not explain their reasons for such rules and will normally expect their children to obey without questioning. Rosenthal describes it as being “obedience and status oriented’ (Rosenthal 2004).
The other style of parenting is authoritative parenting, which is close to the authoritarian style. It also follows established rules that children are expected to follow. It is, however, more democratic than authoritarian style since such parents allow questions from their children, and are more responsive. Failure to follow the rules does not always result to punishment; such parents are forgiving and take a nurturing approach. Rosenthal states that such parents are “assertive without intruding or being overly restrictive” (Rosenthal 2004).
Permissive parenting is another parenting style. Is indulgent parenting since parents are less demanding, more responsive, and hardly discipline children. Such parents are open with their children, adopting the position of a friend rather than a parent. Communication lines are left open and discipline is achieved through nurturing (Rosenthal 2004). Children are allowed a certain degree of self-regulation, and parents generally avoid confrontation.
Lastly, is uninvolved parenting. In this parenting style, parents take care of their children’s needs but are generally removed from their life. Parents make very few demands on their children and do not communicate much with them. Sometimes there is even rejection or neglect from parents (ERIC Digest, 2011).
My preferred parenting style is authoritative parenting. It presents a balanced approach where there are rules and guidelines to be followed but parents also take a nurturing approach. An overly permissive environment can result to indiscipline in children with no self-discipline. On the other hand, a very strict authoritarian approach might leave children feeling oppressed and breed fear instead of respect for parents. Authoritative parenting is, therefore, a fair balance of the two.
References
Eric Digest (2011). "The Role of Parents in the Development of Peer Group Competence. ERIC Digest". Eric Digests. Retrieved 2014-11-20.
Rosenthal, M. () "Knowing yourself and your children". www.drma.com. Maryann Rosenthal. Retrieved 20 November, 2014.
