Some parents may fit neatly into a single style of parenting, while others use a combination of parenting styles. Parenting styles are mostly mended to adjust the requirement of children at a given time/situation. The interesting thing about being a parent is that there is a great variation in how we raise our children. At the same time, there are many similarities from one parent to others. In fact, researchers have tried to group parents into four common parenting styles.
Parenting Styles:
Parenting style basically refers to the combination of strategies/methods that you use to raise your children. The four parenting styles have distinct names and characteristics:
- Authoritarian
- Permissive
- Democratic
- Uninvolved
Authoritarian Parenting:
Authoritarian parents are often thought of as disciplinarians. These parents use a strict discipline style with little negotiation possible. Communication is mostly one way, from parent to child. Rules usually are fixed and not formulated and parents with this style are typically less persuadable/lenient. Expectations from parents are high and punishment is common.
Permissive Parenting:
Most of the permissive parents let their children do what they want, and offer limited guidance or direction. They are more like friends than parents and their discipline style is the opposite of strict. They have limited or no rules and they mostly let children figure out problems on their own. Communication is open but these parents let children decide for themselves rather than giving directions. Parents in this category tend to be warm and nurturing making minimal expectations.
Democratic Parenting:
Democratic parenting involves treating children as their equals. Parents treat their kids with respect and dignity, they are given choices and are made responsible for their own decisions. Disciplinary rules are made clear and the reasons behind them are explained. Communication among them is frequent and appropriate to the child’s level of understanding. It doesn’t mean that children can do everything an adult does in the family, the freedom given here is age-appropriate.
Uninvolved Parenting:
Uninvolved parents give their children a lot of freedom and generally stay out of their ways. Some parents may make a conscious decision to parent in this way, while others are less interested in parenting or unsure of what to do. Parents in this set allows the child mostly do what he/she wants to do. These types of parents offer independence, with minimal communication and have few or no expectations of children.
