User:LisaSeidel/sandbox

Parenting styles Developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind identified three main parenting styles in early child development: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive.[4][5][6][7] These parenting styles were later expanded to four, including an uninvolved style. These four styles of parenting involve combinations of acceptance and responsiveness on the one hand and demand and control on the other.[8] •	Authoritarian parenting styles can be very rigid, cold, and controlling. Parents who practice authoritarian style parenting have a strict set of rules and expectations and require full obedience. If rules are not followed, punishment is used to ensure obedience.[9] There is usually no explanation of punishment except that the child is in trouble and should listen accordingly.[9] "Because I said so" is a typical response to a child's question of authority, and this type of authority is used more often in working-class families than the middle class. In 1983, Baumrind found that children raised in an authoritarian-style home were less cheerful, more moody and more vulnerable to stress. In many cases these children also demonstrated passive hostility. These children are also more withdrawn, keeping their feelings internalized which can lead to greater amounts of stress. They are also less mature socially, but not much different than children of authoritative parents. In a 2006 study by Rhee, Lumeng, Appugliese, Kaciroti, & Bradley, children of authoritarian parents were found most likely to be overweight than children of the three other parenting styles. •	Authoritative parenting relies on positive reinforcement and use punishment on more of an “as needed” basis. When punishment is needed, the parent gives explanations as to why the child is receiving the punishment as well as discussion of how the child could behave differently in the future, thus encouraging independent and empathic thought (child develops the ability to see from another’s perspective) (Feldman, 310). Parents are more aware of a child's feelings and capabilities and support the development of a child's autonomy within reasonable limits. There is a give-and-take atmosphere involved in parent-child communication and both control and support are exercised in authoritative style parenting. In a 2006 study by Steinbert, Eisengart, and Cauffman, children raised by authoritative parents were shown to perform better academically. Grades were higher and they also displayed greater school involvement as well as better attachment and bonds with teachers. These children also possess lower levels of anxiety and stress than those with permissive or neglectful parents, and are less likely to engage in “problem behavior” (Steinbert, 56, 2006). In addition, children raised under authoritative parents grow to be more psychosocially mature. Research shows that this style is most beneficial when parenting children. •	Permissive or indulgent parenting style can be described as the parent being lax and somewhat carefree when it comes to teaching and correcting their child’s behavior. There tends to be little if any punishment or rules in this style of parenting and children are said to be free from external constraints. Children of permissive parents are generally happy but sometimes show low levels of self-control and self-reliance because they lack structure at home. These children are more prone to adolescent delinquency and are less mature psychosocially. Baumrind’s 1978 study, she described these parents as being “moderate in responsiveness” towards their child’s needs and having low expectations in when it comes to maturity level. She also characterized them as being dismissive and unconcerned. (Spera, 134, 2005). •	Uninvolved parenting is when the parents are emotionally absent and frequently not physically present for their child. They have little to no expectation of the child and regularly have no communication. They are not responsive to a child's needs and do not demand anything of them in their behavioral expectations. They only basic needs for the child’s survival such as food, clothing, and shelter, but do not deem it necessary to play any role beyond this. In its extreme form, the result is neglect, a form of child abuse. There is often a large gap between parents and children with this parenting style. Children with little or no communication with parents tended to be the victims of another child’s deviant behavior and may be involved in some deviance themselves.[11] Children of uninvolved parents suffer in each of the following areas: social competence, academic performance, psychosocial development and problem behavior. Often, these children externalize their problems more and are more likely to have problems with substance abuse than children of other parenting styles. There is no single or definitive model of parenting. What may be right for one family or one child may not be suitable for another. With authoritative and permissive (indulgent) parenting on opposite sides of the spectrum, most conventional and modern models of parenting fall somewhere in between. Parenting strategies as well as behaviours/ideals of what parents expect whether communicated verbally and/or non-verbally also play a significant role in a child’s development. In the end, it is up to the parent to decide what style is right for them, their family, and, most importantly, their child. The most important quality that any parent needs in raising their child, regardless of style, is simply love.