Parenting Analysis

Parenting Analysis Paper
Cynthia Camarena-Garcia
CONSL 504: Life Span and Family Development
November 14, 2011
Dr. Sammie Williams

Parenting Analysis Paper There are many ideas about how to nurture children. Some parents implement the ideas their own parents used, others get advice from friends and some read books about parenting. Other parents also take classes offered in the community to determine how to raise their children. There is not a single person with all the right answers. However, psychologists and other social scientists now know what parenting styles are most effective and are more likely to lead to constructive outcomes for children. Ideas about raising children can be categorized into three styles. The three different parenting styles that will be discussed are the authoritarian style, authoritative style, the permissive and the uninvolved parenting. These are different ways of deciding who is responsible for what in a family. Authoritarian parenting styles usually guide to children who are compliant and skillful; however they categorize lower in happiness, social competence and self-esteem. According to research authoritative parenting styles tend to result in children who are happy, accomplished and successful. Permissive parenting often results in children who level low in happiness and self-regulation and these children are more likely to experience problems with authority and lean to perform poorly in school. Uninvolved parenting styles grade lowest across all life areas. These children tend to lack self-control, have low self-esteem and are less knowledgeable than their peers (Grobman, 2008). Some characteristics that uninvolved parents possess are that they are emotionally secluded from their children, they offer little or no supervision to their children, these parents show little affection, love and care towards their children, they have few or no potential or demands for behavior, they don 't attend school events and parent-teacher conferences, they may purposely avoid their children, and these parents are often too inundated by their own problems to deal with their children (Johnston, 2011) The effect that this type of parenting has on the children are that these children must learn to provide for themselves, the child will fear on becoming dependent on other people, they are re often emotionally withdrawn, they tend to exhibit more delinquency during adolescence, they feel fear, anxiety or stress due to the lack of family support, have an increased risk of substance abuse. Authoritarian parents are strict they set rules and have certain expectations. Authoritarian parenting is very demanding, but not responsive they don 't express much warmth or nurturing and utilize punishments with little or no explanation. They also do not give children choices or options. Children of authoritarian parents tend to relate obedience and success with love. Some children demonstrate more aggressive behavior outside the home and some may act anxious or overly shy around others. The children of authoritarian parents also often have lower self-esteem and have difficulty in social situations (Grobman, 2008). Permissive parents do not have many rules or standards of behavior and if so they are rules that are often very inconsistent. These types of parents are usually very nurturing and loving towards their kids. Also they often seem more like a friend, rather than a parent and may use bribery such as toys, gifts and food as a means to get child to behave. Children raised by permissive parents lack self-discipline, at times have poor social skills and may be self-involved and demanding. Also these kids may feel insecure due to the lack of boundaries and guidance (Johnsoton, 2011). Authoritative parents listen to their children, encourage independence and set limits, consequences and expectations on their children 's behavior. Authoritative parents express warmth and nurturance and allow children to express opinions and encourage children to discuss options. This style of parenting also manages fair and consistent discipline. Parents with authoritative parenting styles want their children to develop reasoning and work independently, but they also have high expectations for their children. When children break the rules, they are disciplined in a fair and consistent manner. Authoritative parents are also flexible. If there are justifying circumstances, they will allow the child to explain what happened and adjust their response accordingly (Johnston, 2011). Children of authoritative parents tend to have a more happy temper, have good emotional control and regulation and develop good social skills. These children also are self-confident about their abilities to learn new skills After learning about the impact of parenting styles on child development, you may speculate why all parents simply don 't utilize an authoritative parenting style. The authoritative parenting style is the style which is more likely to produce happy, confident and capable children. But why do some parenting styles differ? Some potential causes of these differences include religion, parental background, family size, culture, personality, socioeconomic status, and educational level (Grobman, 2008). The parenting styles of individual parents also combine to create a unique blend in each family. There may be families where the mother may demonstrate an authoritative style while the father prefers a more permissive approach. In order to create a consistent approach to parenting, it is essential that parents learn to cooperate as they combine various elements of their unique parenting styles. Personally I agree with psychologist that the authoritative parenting style is the best way to raise children. There has to be limits to what children do, respect and also independence. Children should be allowed to make their own decisions, however have support in what they are doing. If children are supported, loved, and listened to they will develop a positive attitude about life and the decisions they make.

References

Grobman, K. 2008. Diana Baumrind 's (1966) Prototypical Descriptions of 3

Parenting Styles. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from:

http://www.devpsy.org/teaching/parent/baumrind_styles.html

Johnston, K. 2011. The Effects of Baumrind 's 4 Parenting Styles on Children. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/info_8476494_effects-4-p arenting-styles-children.html

References: Grobman, K. 2008. Diana Baumrind 's (1966) Prototypical Descriptions of 3 Parenting Styles. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from: http://www.devpsy.org/teaching/parent/baumrind_styles.html Johnston, K. 2011. The Effects of Baumrind 's 4 Parenting Styles on Children. Retrieved November 11, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/info_8476494_effects-4-p arenting-styles-children.html