Parental Influences on Child Behavior and Parenting Styles

Parenting styles are the ways that parents take care of their children or raise their children. According to Mesa Community College, there are four basic types of parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, neglectful and indulgent. All four styles have influences on the ways children behave both in the home and while they are out of the house.

  1. Authoritarian Influences

    • The authoritarian parenting style is strict and restrictive. The parents who use this style are demanding and do not communicate reasons for their rules or demands with the children. Children who have authoritarian parents do not communicate well and do not initiate activities. According to the Recovered Family website, children with authoritarian parents are often unhappy and fail rather than succeed.

    Authoritative Influences

    • The authoritative parenting style, which should not be mixed up with authoritarian style, is a nurturing and loving style. The parents set strict rules and boundaries, but tell children the reason for the rules. Parents who use this style encourage children to be independent but within set boundaries. Parents talk to the children and have a discussion with the children. Children with authoritative parents are often socially adept, responsible and self-reliant.

    Indulgent Influences

    • The indulgent parenting style, which is sometimes called "permissive," is a responsive parenting style. The parent listens to the children but does not set strict rules. Parents who use this style are nurturing and warm, but they allow their children to get anything they want. Children with indulgent parents are often impulsive and are prone to addictive or risky behaviors when they get older. The children are often disrespectful and have trouble with behavior control.

    Neglectful Influences

    • The neglectful parenting style is an uninvolved and uncaring style that provides only the basic food, shelter and clothing needs of the child. Parents don't set rules or limits on their children, and they do not care what their children are doing. The children of neglectful parents might feel that they are unloved or that other aspects of their parent's lives are more important. These children are often socially inept, are unable to control behaviors and have trouble with independence. They also can be anxious, shy and prone to taking drugs to cope with mental health issues resulting from the lack of a nurturing environment.

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