Parenting carries a lot of responsibility and plays a crucial role in child development. Your parenting style directly influences all aspects of your child’s life, including their physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing. Therefore, it is crucial to actively impose a suitable parenting style that supports your child’s healthy growth and development. 

Although there are different parenting styles, researchers classify four main styles: Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive, and Uninvolved. In today’s article, we will take a look at these parenting styles and discuss them in further detail. Read on!

Authoritarian

As the name suggests, authoritarian parenting is considered to be the strictest form of parenting where unrealistic expectations are set by parents. At the same time, authoritative parents can be controlling, stuck in their beliefs and lack empathic listening skills. 

Children thrive when they are nurtured by their parents, over imposed discipline, obedience, and control negatively impacts a child’s self-worth. A 2019 research study shows that authoritarian parenting can lead to many problems, affecting a child’s physical, mental, and social development. Researchers highlight that this parenting style can cause: 

• Low self-esteem 
•  Depression 
•  Skewed societal perception 
• Poor judgmental abilities 
• Aggressive behaviour 
• Rebellious toward others 
• Poor decision-making abilities 
• Shyness and introversion

Permissive

Permissive parents raise children without boundaries, they are too lenient and have a tendency to avoid conflict. Parents who adopt this parenting style rarely follow through with consequences and have no set household rules for their children to follow. As a result, children often grow up to be irresponsible adults who struggle with rules, authority and have difficulties adjusting into society. 

One study highlights that a lack of routine, boundaries, and consequences can make your child prone to developing risky behaviour, such as drug abuse and alcoholism. Permissive parenting can encourage a child to develop rebellious behaviour and lack motivation to succeed in education and employment.

Uninvolved

Uninvolved parents have very little knowledge about child development. As a result, their children are often left to their own devises. These parents are considered neglectful, this may be unintentional as they themselves could be suffering with a mental health condition, addiction issues or other overwhelming problems. Uninvolved parents expect their children to raise themselves and perhaps younger siblings too. A 2021 research study published in NCBI concludes that uninvolved parents can negatively affect their child’s physical, mental, and social skills, including: 

• • Poor cognitive abilities Lack of emotional skills
  • Poor social skills 
  • Poor academic performance 
  • Stress, depression, and anxiety 
  • Introversion and dependence on others 
  • Increased risk of drug abuse 
  • Prone to delinquencies in early adolescence 

Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative parenting is the ideal parenting style, allowing parents to follow a balanced path and raise their children adequately. It places emphasise on connection and setting healthy boundaries. 

For instance, when you follow this parenting path, you will respond to your child’s physical and emotional needs and, at the same time, set limits, enforce boundaries, and ensure discipline. 

So, it is a balanced parenting approach that nurtures the child and improves their overall growth and development. Unlike other parenting styles that have numerous disadvantages, a growing body of research evidence highlights that authoritative parenting is the best parenting style, helping your children to become: 

• Confident 
• Self-reliant 
• Academically successful 
• Socially accepted 
• Well-mannered 
• Resilient
• Less prone to mental health issues 
• Socially engaged

Moreover, authoritative parents are flexible, helpful, and disciplined. For example, an authoritative parent will not expect their child to score “A” in all subjects at school, but they will encourage him/her to try their best, no matter the outcome. They will actively help their children with homework but also encourage independent learning. 

A 2012 research study concludes that authoritative parenting is beneficial for children, leading to healthier relationships, higher self-esteem, and boosted self-confidence. 

For instance, if your child wants to play outside, as an authoritarian parent, you will not allow him and may punish him if he refuses to take the order. Likewise, as a permissive parent, you will allow your child to play outside without worrying about setting any limitations. Uninvolved parents don’t care at all. On the other hand, an authoritative parent will respond positively to his/her child, explaining whether it is safe to play outside and set reasonable rules, boundaries and limitations where necessary.

Final Words 

Parenting is an exciting endeavour, but it is also a daunting task, especially if your parenting style isn’t working. Unlike permissive, authoritarian, and uninvolved parenting, authoritative parenting offers a wide range of benefits to parents and their children – so it is a win-win situation. 

Not only do you develop stronger relationships with your children, but you also help them to become self-disciplined, responsive, and confident. Based on all the research evidence given above, why not try adopting an authoritative parenting style to enhance your children’s growth and development. 

About the Author

Deborah Byrne is a parenting coach whose primary goal is for all busy parents to feel supported on the amazing journey of parenthood by reducing everyday stresses, living more mindfully and focusing on what really matters in this lifetime, their children. For more information visit https://deborahbyrne.com/