Three Approaches to Parenting: Authoritarian, Permissive, and Authoritative
Being a parent, especially in today’s world, is a pretty difficult task to perform. Children in this age have to be taught and protected from substance abuse, sex, and violence, among embarrassment of other damaging elements in this world. In order for children to grow up with enough knowledge to make wiser decisions when dealing with these situations, parents need to be involved, but in which kind of ways? Should they be tough and stern as an authoritarian parent, lenient and laid back as a permissive parent, or in between, as an authoritative parent?
There are many differences and similarities between the three, but which way is the correct way to go?
An authoritarian is someone who is stern, straight forward and does not take mess.
Authoritoarian parents always try to be in control, imposing strict rules to try to keep order without much expression of warmth or affection. They attempt to set strict standards of conduct and are usually very critical of children for not meeting those standards. They tell children what to do, they try to make them obey, and they usually do not provide children with choices or options. Authoritarian parents don’t explain why they want their children to do things. If a child questions a rule or command, the parent might answer, “Because I said so”. (Iannelli)
This style of parenting is forceful, and may not be good for children. Children and adolescents from authoritarian families tend to perform moderately well in school and be uninvolved in problem behavior, but they have poorer social skills, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of depression (Parenting).
If an authoritarian parent is day, then permissive is night. These parenting styles are completely different from one another.
Permissive parents tend to set few rules or limitations for their children, if any. Children are free to do whatever they like and consequently tend to have a hard time getting along with other people. Permissive parents care for their children, but do not set rules for a variety of reasons. Children that are raised under a permissive parenting style often tend to feel insecure and very dependent because they were not given the direction, routine and model that is required for children to learn confidence. These children also tend to have a weaker