Published on Jul 29, 2022
Prasanta R
4 Types Of Parenting Styles And Their Effects On Kids | Fenced.ai
When it comes to parenting a kid, every parent gets a thought on how to nurture them. Parenting styles differ for every child, and if you’re a parent of two kids, the way you nurture the first differs from the second.
Most parents even preplan how to raise their kids before birth. So, what are the parenting styles and their effects on kids?
What are the most common parenting styles you have heard of and exercised in your family life? You are probably aware of gentle parenting, controlling parenting, or lenient parenting. Some parents want their kids to follow only the things they want, and few of them support their kid's decisions and appreciate their effort.
Likewise, some strict parents keep taunting their kids and setting high expectations. Keeping expectations is important, but in the name of expectations, controlling kids from an early age to adulthood is completely wrong. Such parenting styles suppress kids' personalities; they can never be independent, confident, and dedicated.
What are the Effects of Parenting on Kids?
For a kid, how to grow up as an adult is completely based on the environment they are raised in. You’re the one to assure the healthy growth and development of your kid. If you portray yourself as a kind, generous and supportive parent, your kids will learn the same human nature.
On the other hand, if you treat them aggressively, they behave in the same way. Therefore, it is completely on you to decide what type of human being you want to raise. Do you want them to be active, generous, strong, skilled, and socialized? Or do you want them to be dependent, aggressive, and rude, the ones with no self-identity?
You’re the one to shape your kids' future, so make sure you choose the right parenting styles. Overall, without further ado, let’s jump into the topic of types of parenting styles and their effects on kids. Keep on scrolling for more detailed information on parenting.
4 Types Of Parenting Styles And Their Effects On Kids
Authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved parenting styles are most common and practiced by every parent. You’re also following one of these parenting styles, but you might be confused about the term used. Therefore, keep reading to get knowledge on these 4 types of parenting styles and their effects on kids.
1. Authoritarian Parenting
Do you ever tell and want your kid to behave the way you want them to? If yes, then you are exercising authoritarian parenting. This is the type of parenting where parents are the decision-makers, and kids are the followers.
In other words, kids are supposed to be under the control of their parents and are forced to let go of their needs, opinions, and dreams. In authoritarian parenting, there are clear ground rules and regulations defined for children.
Such rules are also advantageous, as kids will be disciplined, know right and wrong, and be aware of consequences. But, not considering kids' emotions and feelings is dominating, which results in mental and emotional instability of a kid.
Similarly, this type of parenting works as, “This is right because I’m saying,” “If you don’t do what I want you to, you’ll face the consequences and regret my words in the future.”
These are a few harsh statements from parents who follow an authoritarian parenting style. Although kids learn values and reasoning, they fail to own individuality.
2. Authoritative Parenting
Authoritarian and authoritative parenting somehow have the same strategy but are practiced opposingly. Authoritative parenting is not a parent-driven style because a kid’s feelings, needs, and emotions are listened to and considered.
There are strict ground rules for kids, but the best part is that every kid is given a reason for the strict restrictions.
Moreover, expectations from a kid are high; nevertheless, parents equally respect the kid's ability, dedication, and effort to achieve something. Parents give their best to communicate with their kids, and when decisions are made, both parent and kid discuss and exercise their responsibility to decide what is right or wrong.
In authoritative parenting, parents create a nurturing environment to connect with their kids' mental and emotional sides. Here are a few of the effects of parenting styles on kids.
- Kids feel secure with their kids.
- They become independent adults.
- A child develops good communication and decision-making skills.
- They are interactive and socialized by nature.
- Authoritative parenting assures sound mental and emotional health of kids.
3. Permissive Parenting
Additionally, another type of parenting style that is commonly used is permissive or indulgent parenting. If you’re a permissive parent, trust me, you have the most beautiful and connected bond with your kid. In this type of parenting, very low demands are made by parents.
And the best part is that strict rules and expectations are rarely set. Permissive parents are the ones who let their kids do the things they want and what they decide as they consider kids' happiness. But if they find kids making wrong decisions and the one which is not fruitful, they give guidance.
Besides, they interfere less with kids because they don’t want to be involved in the conflict and make kids feel like they are under control.
However, as every parenting style has advantages and limitations, so does permissive or indulgent parenting. Here are a few of the effects of having permissive parents on kids.
- Most of the kids are unaware of general ground rules and regulations.
- As they communicate less with their parents, they find it difficult to have social interaction when they turn into an adult.
- Kids are likely to be sadder and have low self-esteem.
- They can’t make a proper schedule for daily chores and have to deal with the problem of time management.
- Kids raised with permissive parenting styles are naturally selfish and impulsive.
4. Uninvolved Parenting
Those parents who are into neglectful or uninvolved parenting are neither responsible for raising kids nor are demanding.
To be very direct, parents' only responsibility is to give birth as they are hardly around kids and support them when in need. Such parents don’t show interest in spending time with their kids and have no expectations from them.
When kids need emotional and mental support, parents are unavailable, and such behavior from parents makes kids introverted and selfish. They don’t know how to interact with people and friends, struggle much for good academic grades, and don’t know the importance of having goals in life.
Furthermore, neglectful or uninvolved parenting styles have one of the worst parents. They become vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression. And the worst case, parents fail to prevent suicide in teens caused due to depression.
Similarly, there is also a high chance of them falling into addictions such as drugs, alcohol, smoking, and even tech addiction. Keep in mind that social media also contribute to teen suicide.
Which is the most effective parenting style?
After researching and understanding authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved parenting, authoritative parenting is one of the most effective parenting styles. It is so because in this type of parenting, parents' and kids' needs are listened to and respected, and decisions are made favorably.
Authoritative parents, for sure, are strict but controlled. They guide kids on what is wrong and right but never let go of kids' happiness. Kids are given a friendly and secure home environment. Since parents are supportive, kids learn to be independent, know their importance, and are dedicated to their responsibilities.
Conclusion
After reading the article on “4 types of parenting styles and their effects on kids”, I hope you have enough knowledge on which parenting style is beneficial and which is the worst. If you’re a parent, which parenting style have you been involved with?
And if you’re a new parent, review each parenting style's pros and cons and go for the best one. Let us know how the information was helpful through the comment section below.
If you’re a kid reading this article, you are free to express how your parents raised you and explain if your parents are authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or uninvolved.
Frequently Asked Questions
i. What are the factors influencing parenting styles?
Several factors have an impact on parenting styles. Few of them include knowledge and information on parenting; parent’s being raised in history, their age and gender, and stability of mental and emotional health.
ii. What are the signs of controlling parents?
If you find your parents interfering in everything, make decisions for you, ignore your thoughts and needs, and if they lack respect towards you, you have a controlling parent. Recognize the signs of controlling parents on time and let them know the impact of their behavior on you.