Types of Parenting Skills

Child psychologists have found parenting styles can be broken down in to three basic categories: authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative. No one style is correct, and most parents will not use one parenting style exclusively. Parents will probably gravitate toward one philosophy more than the others, but the most effective parenting will take into account the personality of the child, as different children require different parenting.

  1. Authoritarian

    • Authoritarian parents are those who believe in structure. They're not abusive parents, but they do demand obedience from their children and do not ask for input from their children when making decisions. Authoritarian parents set very high standards, and often the result is children who have low self-esteem and need a voice of authority to guide them. Psychologists say this is an effective style of parenting for children who have behavioral or conduct disorders and therefore need structure and authority.

    Permissive

    • Permissive parenting allows the children to be active in the decision-making process, even determining partially their own parenting. Permissive parents encourage their children to be creative and spontaneous, which can sometime appear careless to others. While they are not neglectful, permissive parents tend to use reasoning instead of authority, often allowing children to argue the reasoning for their actions. Because this parenting style is so lax on authority, it can sometimes result in a lack of impulse control and immature behavior. Though not for rebellious or aggressive children, this is a good parenting style for children who are withdrawn or anxious.

    Authoritative

    • Authoritative parenting is often considered the most effective because it helps children develop a sense of independence and self-sufficiency without giving up the role of authority figure. Authoritative parents leave much of the decision making process up to the children, but with high standards and firm expectations. Although these parents are willing to listen, reason, and communicate with their children, they are also quick to correct certain behaviors and exercise their discipline and limits. This parenting style works well for average children who are neither shy nor aggressive.

    Neglectful

    • Neglectful parenting is a type of parenting that describes parents who do not offer adequate parental support. While permissive parents may be passive, neglectful parents tend not to be involved in the day-to-day activities outside of the home. These parents are unaware of their children's academics, behaviors, and activities until something major happens. Neglectful parents do not attempt to be an authority figure in many aspects of their children's lives, and therefore allow their children to essentially parent themselves.

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