Parenting Styles – Advantages and Disadvantages
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There are 4 parenting styles, and they each come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Interactive Parenting Styles such as Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Permissive have advantages and disadvantages for children. Learn about them here.
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As a parent, you want to be nurturing and provide guidance for your kids, and it can be hard to find a balance between setting strict rules or not having enough rules. Punishments can vary, and you might question whether or not you’re too strict or teetering on the neglectful parent.
We all want to do our very best as parents, and as long as you have your child’s best interest at hand, you’re probably on the right track to parenting.
Here are some pros and cons of some parenting styles. You don’t have to place yourself in one specific category. You might find yourself in more than one parenting style and that’s ok.
It might be helpful to see what type of parenting characteristics you have and if you’d like to adopt some different parenting styles based on the pros and cons listed below.
Don’t limit yourself to a single type of parent; it’s important to learn and grow as parents and as our children’s behavior changes as they grow through life.
Authoritarian Parenting
Authoritarian parenting is a parenting style in which parents take a highly controlling approach. This parenting style tends to be very strict, with parents who expect their children to follow certain rules, conform to their expectations, and do as they are told.
Despite its negative reputation, authoritarian parenting can also be quite positive in certain situations. For example, authoritarian parents are typically very consistent and clear in their expectations, making it easier for children to understand what they need to do. Academic achievement is usually a big focus, and kids tend to do well unless presented with an opportunity to stop in which they could rebel.
Pros of Authoritarian Parenting
Authoritarian parenting can help create structure and discipline in a child’s life, which may be especially important for kids from chaotic or dysfunctional families. This approach can also effectively instill a sense of discipline and duty in children, helping them develop habits of respect for authority and a strong work ethic.
Cons of Authoritarian Parenting
The authoritarian parenting style may have some potential downsides to authoritarian parenting. For example, children of authoritative parents might have limited autonomy and are not given the space to develop and explore their ideas and preferences.
Some authoritarian parents also tend to neglect the emotional needs of their children, focusing purely on providing discipline and obedience. This leads some to argue that authoritarian parenting can lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues in children.
Unfortunately, this rigid form of parenting may not prepare kids for the challenges of navigating relationships and dealing with unexpected situations in life. Children may also show delinquent behavior if they are presented the chance to rebel.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parents are more lenient with their children and allow them to have more freedom, typically having fewer rules and expectations. Permissive parents are generally more responsive to their child’s needs and desires than they are demanding. This parenting style can be positive or negative, depending on the family dynamic. This parenting style might be considered a more free-range parents version of parenting.
Pros of Permissive Parenting
Children of permissive parents foster a close relationship between parent and child. Because permissive parents are typically more responsive than demanding, children often feel loved and supported.
Their kids feel comfortable coming to them with problems and sharing what’s going on in their lives. And because permissive parents don’t tend to pressure their kids, the kids may be more likely to try new things and be independent.
Permissive parenting can be a positive force in a child’s life, teaching them to think for themselves and instilling confidence. This may also allow children to self-regulate better and help them with self-control.
There is a bit more warmth to this style of parenting and children may learn to self-regulate a little more with this type of parenting style.
Cons of Permissive Parenting
On the negative side, permissive parenting can create an environment of chaos and inconsistency. If rules are not well-defined, children may become confused or even misbehave. And because permissive parents typically give in to their child’s demands, children may learn to manipulate their parents to get what they want. So permissive parents need to balance giving their kids freedom and setting rules.
Authoritative Parenting
Authoritative parenting style parents are between authoritarian and permissive and are a child-rearing style that fosters positive relationships between parents and their kids. This approach emphasizes open communication, negotiation, and mutual respect, while also emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and teaching children good decision-making skills. Overall, this type of parenting can be seen as positive and negative.
There is very high demandingness in this style of parenting.
Pros of Authoritative Parenting
On the one hand, authoritative parenting encourages children to become responsible members of society by building strong social and emotional skills. Kids raised authoritatively are more likely to have good self-esteem, high levels of emotional intelligence, and strong interpersonal skills. These positive qualities can serve them well throughout their lives and help them to build healthy relationships with others.
Cons of Authoritative Parenting
On the other hand, it can sometimes be difficult for parents in authoritative households to consistently set clear boundaries and enforce rules. Additionally, parent-child relationships that are overly dependent on a shared sense of authority can sometimes breed resentment or bitterness if the child feels restricted or controlled by their parents. However, authoritative parenting is generally seen as a healthy and positive way to raise children despite these potential downsides.
Parenting Styles Summary
You may find yourself trying to figure out what the best parenting style is for you but remember that you have to do what’s best for your kids, and it’s based on who they are, who you are, and the child’s behavior. I don’t believe there is a perfect parenting style, and I believe that your style may change from time to time.
You can seek developmental psychologist opinions and analyze your child’s temperament but what matters is that you and they have open communication and that you love them unconditionally. You want your children to know as infants that they are loved and you are there for them.
As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.