The Effects Of Parenting Styles On Child Development

THE INFLUENCE OF PARENTING STYLE ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT

At old age, some parents would look back at how they raised their kids and smile, while some would look back with regrets. Weather it would be joys or regrets you would feel depends on what you do now and the style you deploy to raise yours.

These parenting styles determine children emotional intelligence, behavioral patterns and personality development.

What makes your style effective or non effective is what I hope to share here.

  WHAT IS EFFECTIVE PARENTING

Effective parenting can be is defined as the quality of a parent to relate with children in a manner that strengthens their potential to become independently balanced adults. It is achieved by developing strong and profoundly committed relationships through pure communication between parents and children with respect for individual difference.

4 - BASIC PARENTING STYLES

Parenting styles or theories are the techniques used by parents to control child behaviour. In accordance to her research, clinical and developmental psychologist, Diana Baumrind analyzed four basic styles of parenting namely;

• Authoritarian parenting
• Authoritative parenting
• Permissive parenting
• Neglectful parenting

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Authoritarian Parenting

This kind of parenting style implements discipline and objurgates any inappropriate behaviour on children without question or an explanation. Authoritarian parents believe that children have no reason not to do as they are instructed to do and failure to do so is not an option Disciplinary measures are usually punitive. Parents demand blind obedience and are unresponsive to children’s feelings.

Children of authoritarian parents are wired to live by dos and don’ts and live by the books. They have a great tendency  to succeed. However, their interpersonal skills are poorly developed as they were not raised to express their opinions or give reasons for any  actions and may have issues with self-esteem. These kids may become secretive to cope with parental behavior.

Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative Parenting establishes boundaries within which they permit the children to operate. They are disciplinarians with expectations, but they show higher level of understanding and responsiveness to children questions. When situation of inability to meet up with obligations arise, they take on  the coaching and nurturing behaviour. They are assertive, but not restrictive.

They are more likely to lead by examples and offer supportive measure to help children attain these expectations. They want the children to obey having clear understanding of the consequence of their mistakes and the benefits that come with good behaviour.

This parenting style is significantly associated with better emotional intelligence among children. Kids are more likely to be independent, socially responsible and self regulated. They are good at making decisions and analyzing situations as well as  risks. The ability to choose right gives them more joy, satisfaction and success in life.

Permissive Parenting

Permissive parents, also referred to as indulgent parents have very minimal expectations from their children. Discipline is not considered of high importance and they are very responsive to children shortcomings. D. Baumrind concluded that these parents avoid confrontation with their kids and give room for self-regulation. They usually take on the status of a friend, rather than that of a parent.

When parents avoid control and children are less aware of behavioral limits, children of permissive parents are impulsive with little regards for achievements of any kind. These kids usually experience problem with authorities in school and may not find joy within the academic world. There is also the possibility of developing health problems because they may have formed poor feeding habits early.

Neglectful Parenting

When parents emotionally detached and let kids fend for themselves or fail to perform their parental responsibilities such as shelter, food, clothing, health, safety, and supervision; it is an uninvolved form of parenting that exposes the kids to what they might not be prepared for. These kind of parents focus more on their own needs rather than on the needs of the child.

Childhood neglect can have a traumatic experience on a child and deny them of their capacity to build strong relationships even in adulthood. Children of neglectful parents would like grow up to have low self esteem an lack of self control. the chances of vulnerability to social vices and peer pressure is high as they tend to form their own opinion of life unguided.

CONCLUSION

There are four basic style of parenting namely authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and neglectful.

These style could determine children emotional intelligence, behavioral patterns and even personality development.

Although studies have it that authoritative parent produce well-behaved and psychologically balanced  children, a combination of these styles in a good balance and depending on child age/circumstance would produce the results we admire.

Do you want talk to us about your parenting style and what you hope to change to raise a better generation, talk to us at dfamilysecrets.com