Parenting Styles- How parenting styles impact the development of a child?

Parenting doesn’t come with a rule book. Our parents also learn parenting by doing. They have some unofficial guidelines from their elders but don’t much aware of the types of parenting and technicalities involved in it.

Parenting is a dynamic process, influenced by socio-cultural factors. It is an important contributing factor for a child's overall development.

Parenting styles are the representation of how parents respond and nurture their children. The quality of parenting can be more essential than quantity. How much time did parents spend with their children? How parents are engaging in different activities with their children?

Parenting practices any parents choose demonstrate only specific behavior, while parenting style represents broader patterns of parenting practices.

Majorly there are 4 recognized parenting styles. These styles are based on the below factors:

• Level of expectation
• Performance demand
• Attentiveness
• Authority
• Level of discipline

Let’s check which parenting style you are using with your child.

Authoritative Parenting or Democratic Parenting Style

Authoritative parents are responsive to their children and willing to listen to questions children have. These parents are more nurturing and forgiving rather than punishing their children.

Pros on children:

• Open communication with kids.
• Well-behaved and accomplished kids.
• Mentally and emotionally balanced.
• Kids are more responsible and social.

Cons on children:

Sometimes, kids don’t see their parents as legitimate authority figures.

This type of parenting creates the healthiest environment for a growing child in their development.

Authoritarian Parenting or Strict Parenting Style

Authoritarian parents allow for little dialogue between parent and child and expect children to follow a strict set of rules and expectations. They usually rely on punishment to demand obedience.

 Pros on children:

• Well-behaved children
• Focused and goal-oriented

Cons on children:

• A child has low self-esteem.
• Children can be fearful or shy.
• Face difficulty in social networking.
• Cam behaves differently, when outside of parental sight.

In authoritarian parenting, children are expected to follow strict rules; failure to follow such rules usually results in punishment.

Mostly, authoritarian parents fail to explain the reason behind such rules. These parents are status-oriented and expect their orders to be followed without explanation.

Permissive Parenting or Indulgent Parenting Style

Permissive parents are generally nurturing and communicative with their children. They often talk to their child as a friend more than that of a parent. They are non-traditional and lenient parents, who allow considerable self-regulation and avoid confrontation.

    Pros on children:

• Better Communication
• Improved self-esteem
• Enhanced imagination
• Increased positivity

Cons on children:

• Poor emotion regulation
• Rebellious and defiant when desires are challenged
• Low persistence to challenging tasks
• Antisocial behavior

Permissive parents are very responsive and warm but also reluctant to enforce rules.

Uninvolved Parenting or Neglectful Parenting Style

Neglectful parenting is one of the most harmful styles of parenting that can be used on a child. It is unlike the other styles. If parents recognize themselves as neglectful parents or if a friend recognizes them as a neglectful parent, it is an alarming time to take assistance so that they can get back on track to have a healthy and communicative family.

    Pros on children:

Some children find their way by learning things on their own, due to fear of dependence on others.

     Cons on children:

• There is no trust foundation with their parents.
• Children are emotionally withdrawn.
• Have an increased risk of substance abuse

Due to a lack of emotional responsiveness and love from their parents or guardians, children raised by uninvolved parents have a harder time forming relationships with others later in life.

If you observe closely, there is no set path for the upbringing of a child. There only one way to ensure the right development by implementing a combination of the above parenting styles according to the situation. Just try to understand your child's desires and act accordingly.