4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects

How we raise and develop a child has changed drastically over the years. Nevertheless, one of the exciting things about parenting is that there is a great variation in how each parent raises their kids. On the other hand, there are many similarities as well that parents love to share and follow. Overall, there is a direct link between the particular actions of parents towards kids and the children’s later behavior. For example, children who are raised in the same environment and share a home can grow up to have different personalities. On the contrary, children raised in different environments can grow up to have remarkably similar personalities.

Researchers have stated that there is a direct link between different parenting styles and the influence these styles have on children. According to many, children can be influenced by the effects of the parenting styles so much so that these effects can carry over into adulthood.

So, we can say that parenting styles matter when raising children. If you are new to parenthood, it can be a bit overwhelming to adapt to a new lifestyle. What to follow, what not to follow, things can get confusing. To help you get out of this dilemma, we have prepared this post that discusses the 4 types of parenting styles and their effects.

But before we start, let’s understand what a parenting style is.

What is a parenting style?

Parenting style is a work of psychology that was introduced by the University of California based psychologist Diana Baumrind in the 1960s. It was later refined by Maccoby and Martin in the 1980s.

During her research, Diana observed that the preschoolers showed noticeably different types of behavior. And she realized that each type of behavior was a result of a specific kind of parenting.

Diana’s theory suggests that children’s behavior and the type of parenting style are highly correlated. That is, different parenting styles may lead to different child outcomes and development.

Based on extensive analysis, interviews, and observations, Diana identified three types of parenting styles, namely Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive.

Following Diana’s work, Maccoby and Martin expanded her theories and introduced a fourth style of parenting – Uninvolved (Neglectful) parenting.

Today, these four parenting styles are classified based on two dimensions of parenting behavior:

1. Responsiveness – Responsiveness is a parenting behavior that tells the degree to which parents are sensitive to and accepting their kids’ developmental and emotional needs.
2. Demandingness – Demandingness is a parenting behavior that tells the degree to which parents demand their kids’ maturity or control their behavior.

Parenting style is important because it literally determines the kind of environment in which a child is raised in. Parenting style is a spectrum. Different kids need different parenting practices and not a different parenting style. It can be a mix of all two or more styles of parenting or whatever works for the healthy development of the child.

Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects

As we have already discussed, there are four different types of parenting styles –

1. Authoritative
2. Authoritarian or Disciplinarian
3. Permissive or Indulgent
4. Uninvolved or Neglectful

#1 Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative parents are highly demanding and responsive towards their children. That is, they have high expectations for maturity and achievement. On the other hand, they are also warm and responsive. Authoritative parents enforce boundaries and set rules using reasoning, providing guidance, and having an open discussion with their kids. They provide their children with explanations and reasoning for every action they take. This allows the kids to generate a sense of awareness. On top of that, this enables kids to learn goals, morals, and values.

Such parents use disciplinary methods that are confronting, meaning negotiable, reasoned, result-oriented, and concerning with the behavior. They are supportive and affectionate, and more likely to interact with toddlers with kids nursery rhymes or baby rhymes videos in English and other activity-based approaches to encourage independence and provide autonomy.

Some experts call it also as a democratic parenting style because authoritative parents allow bidirectional communication. Overall, kids raised by authoritative parents are cherished. The result of authoritative parenting are kids –

• Who are more active
• Exhibit less violent tendencies
• Have better mental health – less delinquency, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts and keep themselves away from drugs and alcohol
• Socialize with peers using competent social and interactive skills
• Develop good self-esteem
• Tend to have higher academic success
• Are more independent
• Are happy and content

Having high standards and being warm is authoritative. Therefore, it is considered to be the best parenting style parents can approach.

#2 Authoritarian Parenting

Authoritarian parents have high levels of demandingness but extremely low responsiveness. In other words, authoritarian parents have low levels of responsiveness and high levels of parental control. While you may feel like authoritative and authoritarian sounds similar, there are major differences in parenting approach, demand, and belief between the two. The primary difference is that authoritarian parents demand “blind obedience.” That is, they completely shut off their child with reasons like “because I said so,” following only a one-way communication through orders and rules. When the child tries to reason with authoritarian parents, it is considered as a backtalk, which is not appreciated.

Authoritarian parents often employ harsh punishment and use stern discipline. They even use corporal punishment to discipline their child. They coercive disciplinary methods that are domineering, imperious, and concerned with making status discrimination. These parents are not nurturing and generally are unresponsive to kids’ needs. They usually define their way of treating children as ‘tough love.’

Nevertheless, children raised under authoritarian parents tend to –

• Have the worst coping mechanisms
• Are likely to have drug abuse problems
• Be more prone to mental issues and disorders
• Boast extremely poor social skills
• Perform worse academically
• Poses behavioral issues
• Possess low self-esteem
• Appear insecure
• Are less independent
• Have an unhappy disposition

Once children are down that road, it is difficult to pull them back. Authoritarian parents need to understand that there is nothing wrong with being authoritative, but simultaneously you also have to have the willingness to listen and be more responsive.

#3 Permissive Parenting

Permissive parents have low demands and high responsiveness. Permissive parents have the tendency to raise children who are unapologetic, undisciplined, hyperactive, or highly energetic. Permissive parents are those who set very few rules or no rules or are completely reluctant to enforce rules and boundaries on their children.

While they are indulgent and warm, they can’t say ‘NO’ to their children and fear to disappoint them. Parents are advised not to turn permissive as they have the worst outcomes. The majority of the permissive parents think that by following this behavior, they are “being friends” with their children. However, they fail to understand that children need to be corrected when needed else you are ruining their life as they turn out to be the most unpleasant adults.

Permissive parents tend to have children who –

• Encounter more problems in social interactions and relationships
• Possess egocentric tendencies
• Have worst self-control
• Cannot follow rules

All these traits are harmful to society if you look at the bigger picture.

#4 Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved or neglectful parents don’t set high standards for their children nor set any firm boundaries. They don’t care about their children’s needs and don’t interfere with their lives either. This makes them low responsive and low demanding.

Uninvolved parents themselves could be having their own issues, especially mental issues or physical abuse. They might be experiencing depression or have experienced child neglect when they were kids.

In some cases, children raised by neglectful parents turn out to be more intelligent and responsible. But there is only the slightest possibility. In the majority of cases, neglectful parents raise children who –

• Have mental issues, including suicidal tendencies in adolescents
• Encounter more addiction and delinquency problems
• Cannot self-regulate emotions
• Are more impulsive

Neglected children have nobody to guide them or listen to them. Therefore, they can be easily manipulated by others. They may look for an escape but eventually end up being like their parents or even worse.

Which parenting style is the most effective?

Parenting is not just about turning on speakers to play baby rhyme songs whenever your kid is crying, not listening to you. It is more than that. As said earlier, authoritative parents get the best outcomes in their children. Authoritative parenting requires parents to be more demanding and more responsive. Nevertheless, there may be exceptions and inconsistencies in some areas. That is, you may fail to successfully be an authoritative parent, but you can expect your child to be more responsible and understanding. There are some factors that play a crucial role in how your child will turn out.

1. Child Temperament – the behavior of the children may influence the outcomes and the parents’ choices.
2. Cultural and Ethnic Differences – while authoritative parenting is considered good, it can sometimes be difficult for parents to act authoritative, depending on their socioeconomic status – parental education, income level, etc.

So, what type of parenting style do you prefer? It is extremely important that you follow the best practices that are in the best interest of your children.

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Author Bio: Cody Cruz is a content marketing journalist at Babyrhymes. His experience in the field of startups has prepared him to create interesting and valuable content for a diverse group of readers.

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