Parenting styles are a psychological categorization, to represent basic different strategies that parents use to raise their children (child rearing process). While the styles are specific and different, many parent may use primarily one style, with elements of other styles or a combination of all four styles, depending on the demands of the situation and circumstances. Parenting styles also attract questions about being ethical and empathic to the child’s well-being and optimal growth.
Many researchers and psychologists have put forth theories and observations, based on which there are said to be four categories of parenting styles -
Authoritarian Parenting
They are usually extremely strict parents who are very demanding and unresponsive to the children’s needs and emotional states. There is little open dialogue, with most of the communication being one-way – from the parents to the child, and expect a hundred percent compliance. They usually issue orders with little or no explanation or reasoning. This may produce counter-effects on the children making them resistant, incompetent to take decisions, socially awkward and dependent, with exceptions in all cases.
Authoritative Parenting
They are demanding and strict but keep the lines of communication open between them and their children, and are responsive to them. They balance well between their expectations and the child’s needs and emotions by setting limits after understanding the needs of the child. They teach and expect their children to take balanced, informed decisions displaying high level of maturity. This is considered a better style than others and helps inculcate a good self-esteem, self-trust and maturity in the children.
Permissive Parenting
They are usually non-demanding, lenient, submissive and responsive to their children, with little or no expectations from the child. They are nurturing and accepting, however sometimes may fail to set limits and define boundaries, resulting in excessive pampering and spoiling the child. The child may become, what is popularly called ‘spoiled brat’ or impulsive with a no-care attitude which may not serve them as they grow up, since they always like to get their own way without caring for others.
Uninvolved Parenting
These parents are usually uninvolved, detached or uninterested in the process of child rearing. They are either physically unavailable and/or emotionally unavailable. They fulfill their duties of taking care of the child’s basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and education, but do not take part in any other aspect of their lives. The children are usually socially and emotionally quiet and may experience issues later in life due to lack of communication, a sense of belonging and general neglect.
Nonetheless, even if we manage to categorize the styles, their effect on the children cannot be predicted. For example, siblings from the same family with the same set of parents (using a particular style) may grow up to be completely different with little resemblance to each other or even to parents, and vice versa which means, children from different background styles can grow up to be similar in their outlook and behaviour!
