It is our duty being a parent to give our children the best. The way children are brought up undoubtedly affects their success, psychology and self-confidence. The parenting style is the deciding factor of the child’s behavior when he grows in an adult. Factors such as socioeconomic status, culture, religion and family size play an important role in our parenting style. Parents choose the parenting that suits their and their child’s personality. According to a theory developed by psychologist Dianna Baumrind, there are four major parenting styles.
1. Authoritarian parents are extremists and set rules for the children to follow strictly. The children are given punishments if they don’t follow the rules without any explanation.
2. Authoritative – In this type, children have to follow strict rules but the parents listen and explain the children that they are being loved and cared and the rules are for their betterment. The parents are more sympathetic and encouraging. This is the healthiest and well-balanced style of parenting.
3. Permissive parents employ very few rules and expectations on their children. They are very lenient and children are not punished at all, as there are no expectations. They are in other words friendly with their children.
4. Uninvolved parents only fulfill the basic needs of their child and are detached with him. They have no concern with their child’s life and leave him on his own. They can be the extreme of neglect or rejection cases.
Choosing the right parenting is extremely essential as it directly affect the present and future of the children. For successful childrearing, we should be intentional. Children from an authoritarian background are likely to rebel because of the military atmosphere, whereas, permissive and uninvolved parenting lead to children that have problem with authority and are less competent. Such children also try to gain the attention of their parents.
Instead of following a particular style, we should blend the different parenting style according to our family values and try to give our best. Parents should set goals as to what do they want their children to become in the future. They should also realize the needs of their children and try to make them feel safe and secured.
