Styles of parenting
Depending on the age, situation and relationship you have with your child, your style of parenting tends to differ. It is best to have a combination of styles in order to not only discipline your child, but also build a positive relationship with them.
There are four main styles of parenting and they include:
Authoritarian
This style of parenting is usually known as the "my way or the high way" style and parents usually use this method when they need their child to listen to them regardless. An authoritarian parent is best described as one who:
- demanding and inflexible
- having a preconceived goal to achieve
- expects obedience
- not allowing the child to have input in decisions that may affect them
- having predetermined ideas about the best way to meet the specific needs of the child
Although in some circumstances, a parent may take on an authoritarian role to teach their child respect, it is not healthy to constantly use this style of parenting. This can have negative impacts on the relationships a parent may have had with their child as they may become resentful and distant leading their relationship to become unhealthy. It also affects the parents role of promoting the child's wellbeing as they become extremely emotional as a result of constantly being told what to do with little say in what they want to happen.
Democratic
The democratic parenting style is usually described as one between an authoritarian and permissive parent. This style of parenting is usually the best as it allows a parent to successfully fulfil their role without giving all the control over to the child. A democratic parent is best described as one who:
- invites all members to have a say
- values the time spent with their child
- allows their child to feel appreciated
- has effective communication with their child
Adopting these characteristics will not only allow the child to feel as though they are appreciated and that they have a say in what goes on, but also distributes the control between the parent and the child so the parent isn't seen as one to fear. Using the democratic parenting style encourages the parent to maintain a positive relationship with their child as the child does not constantly feel as though they are not valued. It also allows them to successfully promote the wellbeing of their child as they are not upsetting them or making them feel unwanted.
Permissive/indulgent
The permissive/indulgent parenting style is commonly known as "lazy parenting". Usually, the parent hands all the control over to the child and allows them to do whatever they want whenever they want. A permissive/indulgent parent is best described as one who:
- is likely to agree to their child's request
- does not set boundaries/rules for their child to follow
- tends to be very lenient
This style of parenting is very unhealthy and may lead to the child turning into an immature adult who is use to getting their way. Although the child is free to do as they please, they may feel as though their parent doesn't care for their safety or wellbeing and may lead to them distancing themselves, breaking their relationship. Being this type of parent may lead your child to undertake high risk activities such as unprotected sexual activity and excessive consumption of alcohol. This has a negative impact on your role as a parent to promote positive wellbeing, satisfy your child's specific need especially that of safety and security as well as building positive relationships with them.
Negligent
The negligent parenting style is self-explanatory from the name itself. Parents are usually described as negligent towards their child and "careless". A negligent parent is best described as one who:
- does not promote the wellbeing of their child
- may not provide their child with enough food/clothing
- may not show love/affection towards their child
- may not supervise their child when needed
This style of parenting is the worst and most unhealthy for both the parent and their child. By being a neglectful parent, your child becomes at risk of being taken away from you by the government and being placed in a safe and more suitable environment. As a parent, you are doing nothing to fulfil your role of satisfying your child's need, promoting their wellbeing or building a positive relationship. Instead, you are barely meeting any of their needs, putting their wellbeing at risk and also destroying any chances of building a positive relationship with them.
There are four main styles of parenting and they include:
Authoritarian
This style of parenting is usually known as the "my way or the high way" style and parents usually use this method when they need their child to listen to them regardless. An authoritarian parent is best described as one who:
- demanding and inflexible
- having a preconceived goal to achieve
- expects obedience
- not allowing the child to have input in decisions that may affect them
- having predetermined ideas about the best way to meet the specific needs of the child
Although in some circumstances, a parent may take on an authoritarian role to teach their child respect, it is not healthy to constantly use this style of parenting. This can have negative impacts on the relationships a parent may have had with their child as they may become resentful and distant leading their relationship to become unhealthy. It also affects the parents role of promoting the child's wellbeing as they become extremely emotional as a result of constantly being told what to do with little say in what they want to happen.
Democratic
The democratic parenting style is usually described as one between an authoritarian and permissive parent. This style of parenting is usually the best as it allows a parent to successfully fulfil their role without giving all the control over to the child. A democratic parent is best described as one who:
- invites all members to have a say
- values the time spent with their child
- allows their child to feel appreciated
- has effective communication with their child
Adopting these characteristics will not only allow the child to feel as though they are appreciated and that they have a say in what goes on, but also distributes the control between the parent and the child so the parent isn't seen as one to fear. Using the democratic parenting style encourages the parent to maintain a positive relationship with their child as the child does not constantly feel as though they are not valued. It also allows them to successfully promote the wellbeing of their child as they are not upsetting them or making them feel unwanted.
Permissive/indulgent
The permissive/indulgent parenting style is commonly known as "lazy parenting". Usually, the parent hands all the control over to the child and allows them to do whatever they want whenever they want. A permissive/indulgent parent is best described as one who:
- is likely to agree to their child's request
- does not set boundaries/rules for their child to follow
- tends to be very lenient
This style of parenting is very unhealthy and may lead to the child turning into an immature adult who is use to getting their way. Although the child is free to do as they please, they may feel as though their parent doesn't care for their safety or wellbeing and may lead to them distancing themselves, breaking their relationship. Being this type of parent may lead your child to undertake high risk activities such as unprotected sexual activity and excessive consumption of alcohol. This has a negative impact on your role as a parent to promote positive wellbeing, satisfy your child's specific need especially that of safety and security as well as building positive relationships with them.
Negligent
The negligent parenting style is self-explanatory from the name itself. Parents are usually described as negligent towards their child and "careless". A negligent parent is best described as one who:
- does not promote the wellbeing of their child
- may not provide their child with enough food/clothing
- may not show love/affection towards their child
- may not supervise their child when needed
This style of parenting is the worst and most unhealthy for both the parent and their child. By being a neglectful parent, your child becomes at risk of being taken away from you by the government and being placed in a safe and more suitable environment. As a parent, you are doing nothing to fulfil your role of satisfying your child's need, promoting their wellbeing or building a positive relationship. Instead, you are barely meeting any of their needs, putting their wellbeing at risk and also destroying any chances of building a positive relationship with them.