HF3We already said that there are many different ideas about how to raise kids. But opinions on what is best for children are not just different around the world, they also change over time. Children today might be raised in a different way when you were brought up. For example, in the past parents focused on raising obedient children. Today, in some countries, parents are more sensitive to a child’s needs. This shift in focus shows how parenting styles change as the world we live in changes.
Let’s look at three styles of parenting:
Authoritative parenting: An authoritative parent has clear limits, expectations and consequences for their children’s behavior. The authoritative parent expresses warmth and nurturance toward his or her child and also allows for flexibility and collaborative problem solving with the child when dealing with behavioral challenges. According to US child development research, this is considered to be the most effective form of building self-esteem in children and teaching effective communication skills. Children tend to have good emotional regulation and social skills, and they feel confident in their abilities.
Authoritarian parenting: An authoritarian parent has strict rules, expectations and consequences, is demanding and not emotionally responsive toward his or her child. The authoritarian parent does not give children choices. The parent may say things like, “… because I’m the mommy, that’s why.” Child development experts in the US say this is a less effective form of parenting and it might create lower self-esteem within the child.
Permissive parenting: A permissive parent shows lots of affection toward his or her child but often seems more like a friend than a parent. They provide few rules and those rules tend to be inconsistent. Child development research has shown that children raised with a permissive style of parenting tend to show lack of self- discipline, poor social skills. Children may be self-involved and demanding as well as insecure due to the lack of consistency and guidelines