Parenting Styles And Their Effects On Children Development

 

Parenting styles can have a significant impact on children's development, shaping their behaviours, emotional well-being, and relationships with parents, caregivers, educators, and peers. There are four types of parenting styles. Each of them has its own different effects on child's development:

1. Authoritarian parenting: 

It is a parenting style characterized by:

a. High expectations:

The parents set high standards for their children's behaviours and achievements. 

b. Strict rules and punishments: 

Parents enforce strict rules and punishments for their children's misbehaviours, often without explanations and warmth. 

c. Low warmth and nurturing: 

In authoritarian parenting, the parents are often distant, unresponsive to the children's needs, and unaffectionate. 

d. Limited autonomy: Children raised by authoritarian parents are not encouraged to make decisions or take responsibilities for their actions. Like baby bats, they are tied to the apron call of their parents. 

e. Emphasis on obedience: 

In authoritarian style of parenting, the parents prioritize obedience and compliance on independence, self-expression, and creativity.

Authoritarian parents often rely on:

a. Punitive measures such as spanking and withholding of privileges, rewards, and incentives from their children is one of their commonest ways of dealing with their children. Authoritarian parents yell so much! To them, the child has no right to ask questions or take decision of his own at all until he grows into adulthood. They believe that they are the bonafide owners of the child, and that they have 100% right to do anything they like to that child. 

b. Rewards such as treats or praise, to control child's behaviours. 

c. Strict rules and routines, with little or no flexibility or negotiations

Children raised by authoritarian parents may experience:

a. Increased aggression and rebellion

b. Lower self-esteem and confidence

c. Difficulty with emotional regulations and empathy

d. Reduced creativity and problem-solving skills

e. Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues

It is important to state that authoritarian parenting can be culturally influenced and, some parents may adopt it for training their children due to cultural and societal expectations. However, infallible research has shown that a more balanced parenting such as authoritative parenting, is generally preferred and more effective in promoting healthy child development. 

2. Permissive parenting: 

It is the style of parenting in which parents are overly and unnecessarily lenient, avoiding to set clear boundaries and pronounce punitive measures for erring children, and rarely discipline their children. These permissive and indulgent parents feel that they love their children more than other parents. To them, their children are fresh eggs which can be broken if disciplined. They pamper their children to poverty, foolishness, and even to death. They are the parents of useless and wayward children! Permissive parenting prioritizes child autonomy and self-expression over responsibility and obedience. It is characterized by low expectations, few risks and leniency. Most people condemn it to the core while few others say that it is not wrong. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but the opinions of ten thousand fools cannot defeat the opinion of one wise man. Truth always speaks for itself. Whether permissive parenting is right or wrong, we know that it has the following effects on children:

a. Increased impulsivity

b. Decreased self-regulation and responsibility

c. High risks of behavioral problems and substance abuse

d. Difficulty with authority and social relationships

Permissive parenting is problematic because it often fails to provide children with necessary moral and ethical structures ( For example, permissive and indulgent parents, as their names imply, easily accept that their children do things that are wrong to please the children, not minding the principles of cause-and-effect), boundaries, and guidance, leading to a potential negative outcomes in the children's future lives.

3. Authoritative parenting:

It is characterized by high expectations, clear rules, and warmth. The effects of authoritative parenting on children are:

a. It may lead to increased self-esteem, social competence, and emotional intelligence.

b. It can result in high academic grades, problem-solving skills, and relationships.

c. The children raised by authoritative parents are more likely to develop self-regulation skills and a sense of responsibility.

4. Neglectful parenting;

It is characterized by low expectations, few rules, and lack of involvement by parents. Its effects on children are:

a. It may may lead to increased aggression, hostility, deliquency, and mental health issues.

b. It can result in difficulties with emotional regulation, social skills, and academic performance.

c. The children may be subjected to grappling with trusts, intimacy, and relationships with parents, caregivers, authority, and peers.

Parents are required to practice self-reflection and self-awareness to recognize their parenting styles. They should be consistent and predictable in their parenting approaches. They should show physical affection, warmth, and empathy to promote a secure attachment. Parents should encourage open communication and validate their children's emotions. They should also set clear boundaries, rules, and expectations, while providing explanations and rationale. Authoritatave parenting is unequivocally deemed the most effective among all child development styles. The reasons for saying this are not far-fetched. The reasons include:

a. High expectations:

Parents set clear standards and explanations for their children's behaviours.

b. Warmth and responsiveness: 

Parents are nurturing, supportive, and responsible for meeting their children's needs.

c. Autonomy:

Children are encouraged to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions.

d. Consistent discipline: 

Parents use positive discipline techniques such as explaining reasons for punishments, to teach children right from wrong.

The UNICEF has emphasized the importance of positive parenting practices, including responsiveness, sensitivity, and warmth, in promoting healthy child development. Its recommendations align with the principles of Authoritative parenting approach. In contrast, Authoritarian and Neglectful parenting styles have been linked to negative outcomes, including increased aggression, anxiety, and depression, in children. Permissive parenting, while warm and responsive, can lead to difficulties with self-regulation and responsibility. Ultimately, international agencies encourage parents to adopt a nurturing, supportive, and responsive approach to parenting, which is consistent with the principles of Authoritative parenting. We need to remember the following facts before concluding:

a. Parenting styles can have a lasting impact on children's development.

b. Authoritative parenting is often considered the most effective parenting style because it balances warmth with structure. 

c. Parents can successfully tailor their parenting styles to meet their children's unique needs, and promote healthy development. In conclusion, Authoritative parenting approach offers an impregnable and sure framework for promoting healthy  child development, and fostering a brighter future for all children.

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