These parents carefully define limits for children, are good role models and praise children for their efforts. Parents in this category tend to develop
close, nurturing relationships with their children as they provide clear, firm and consistent guidelines.Parents in this style have high expectations, but also know the importance of open communication and provide the support their kids need to be successful. They offer consistent discipline, considering the situation. They also are role models of the behavior they expect from their children. This parenting style involves: - Having
reasonable expectations of their children. They realize their children need meaningful experiences and freedom to be young to learn new skills.
- Understanding every stressful situation does not require parental intervention. Minor frustrations that confront a child can be an opportunity to develop coping skills.
- Learning that falling is normal while kids are young, just like teens need to break up with a girlfriend or boyfriend to appreciate the emotional maturity that lasting
relationships require.
- Learning how to handle and manage frustrations and hurtful experiences when a child is young, as it gives them the tools necessary to handle situations as teenagers when they become more independent of their parents and turn to peers and others for advice.
- Encouraging independence, which teaches a child they are capable of accomplishing things on their own.
This parenting style has many positive side effects: - Parents in this category
tend to develop close, nurturing relationships with their children as they provide clear, firm and consistent guidelines.
- Children in this category are responsible, able to manage their aggression, have high self-esteem and are very self-confident.
- Parents are highly responsive, expect age-appropriate behavior and boundaries are clear and firm. Therefore, children are assertive, socially responsible, self-regulated and cooperative.
- Children are also happy, capable and
successful.
Authoritative parents do not let their children get away with bad behavior. To summarize, these parents provide: - Consistent boundaries.
- Clear expectations.
- Appropriate expectations.
- Good communication, including listening to their children.
- Adaptations to different circumstances.
For more information on each parenting style, click on one of the styles below: - The authoritarian parent. This is the "because I told you so" parent who is likely to degrade a child and ignore the child’s point of view.
- The authoritative parent. This is a mom or dad who sets carefully defined limits for children, the one who is a good role model and
praises children for their efforts.
- The permissive parent. This is the parent who is afraid to set limits on children or believes a child has to be true to his or her own nature.
- The overprotective parent. This is the parent who wants to protect their
children from harm, hurt and pain, unhappiness, bad experiences and rejection, hurt feelings, failure and disappointments.
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Often strict and rigid, authoritarian parents expect their kids to follow the rules at all times. But are there some good things about this parenting style? We asked an expert to weigh in. Are you a more strict parent than your friends? Is your refrigerator decorated with chore charts and house rules rather than handprint art? Do you expect your children to obey, even if you don't give them a reason for the rule you've made? If so, your parenting style is
likely more authoritarian than any other type. You have high expectations of your kids, and you won't put up with any of that "kids will be kids" nonsense. - RELATED:
Why the Best Parenting Style Isn't One Style at All, But Many
What is Authoritarian Parenting? Authoritarian parents tend
to be the most strict parents out there and opposite of permissive parents. They tend to have lots of rules and regulations, but aren't willing to engage in any discussion about the rules, or accept their children's feedback or opinions about them.
While this sounds harsh, most authoritarian parents mean well, and firmly believe their parenting style will produce children who are capable, well-rounded, high-achieving members of society. But often, this comes at a cost. Jeff Nalin, an award-winning licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Paradigm
Treatment Centers says, "children whose behavior is largely dependent on a strict regimen of dos and don'ts will base their own self-worth on whether or not they have obeyed the rules put into place by their parents. As well, this emphasis on cause and consequence hinders a child's natural ability to make choices—choices that may have a direct impact on his or her self-esteem." - RELATED:
How the Snowplow Parenting Trend Affects Kids
Authoritarian Parent Traits - Tend to have an extensive list of rules they
expect their children to follow
- Take a "children should be seen and not heard" approach to parenting
- Give their children chores starting at a young age
- Are highly focused on their children's safety
- Give firm consequences when rules are broken
- Sometimes use threats or punishments to keep kids in line
Pros of Authoritarian Parenting There's no doubt about it; children
who grow up with authoritarian parents are often the most well-behaved kids in the room. That's because they know there will be "big trouble" if they step out of line. But there are some pros of authoritarian parenting that all parents should be mindful of. - RELATED:
5 Lessons Everyone Can Learn from Helicopter Parents
And it's important to note that parents can use some tenets of authoritarian parenting mixed with other styles in an attempt to
produce well-behaved but also balanced, healthy, and well-rounded kids. Nalin lists some pros of authoritarian parenting below: - Good behavior. With this type of parenting style, the rules are crystal clear. As a result, children have a good understanding of what is and isn't acceptable. They are also highly attuned to the negative consequences that can stem from wrong behavior, so they will avoid stepping out of line.
- Safety.
Authoritarian parenting places a strong emphasis on safety—both emotional and physical—which minimizes the types of risky behavior a child may engage in. Children who grasp the outcome of a harmful action are more likely to stay away from it.
- Goal-driven. Children raised by authoritarian parents adhere to detailed plans that include precise instructions. Through this structure, children can understand what steps need to be taken in order to accomplish a goal.
Cons of Authoritarian Parenting Over the years, countless studies have shown that this style of parenting can lead to kids who suffer from depression and anxiety. Nalin shares several other cons of authoritarian parenting that should be considered if
you're adhering to this type of child-rearing. - Rule-dependent. Authoritarian parenting is based on implemented rules that children must continually adhere to. Unfortunately, once children are confronted with situations that don't already have established guidelines, they will feel insecure and unsure of how to behave.
- Reduced self-esteem. Emphasis on cause and consequence hinders a child's natural ability to make
choices—choices that may have a direct impact on his or her self-esteem. Children who depend on others to develop their confidence will often struggle in social situations or in new environments.
- Rebellion. These children eventually grow tired of the seemingly endless list of rules that is consistently thrown their way. Consequently, they will deliberately defy their parents by testing their limits, actions that could jeopardize their own safety.
- Emotionally
withdrawn. Children who are raised by authoritarian parents tend to shy away from expressing their emotions.
Illustration by Caitlin-Marie Miner Ong Examples of Authoritarian Parenting Based on what we've outlined above about authoritarian parenting, here are a few scenarios that demonstrate
how authoritarian parents might handle everyday situations. - Screen time: Authoritarian parents are most likely to place severe limitations on their children's screen time, or might simply disallow it altogether.
- Play dates: Children raised by authoritarian parents are most likely to have a clear understanding of what must be done before going out to play with friends, and they know they will face consequences if
those things are not done.
- Food and treats: Authoritarian parents are most likely to adhere to the "eat or go hungry" school of thought when it comes to meals.
What are the 4 parental styles?
Psychologists tend to focus on the four key parenting styles:. Authoritarian.. Authoritative.. Permissive.. Uninvolved/neglectful.. What is the most negative parenting style?
Uninvolved parenting is the worst style of parenting among the four types because children raised with this parenting style tend to fare the worse. What is this? Neglectful parenting can affect a child's well being and outcomes in development severely5.
What parenting style is associated with depression?
Authoritarian and uninvolved parenting styles were most highly associated with levels of depressive symptoms in adolescence (Lipps, Lowe, Page 2 Gibson, Halliday, Morris, Clarke, & Wilson, 2012).
How does authoritarian parenting affect the child?
The negative side effects to this type of parenting include: Children are aggressive, but can also be socially inept, shy and cannot make their own decisions. Children in these families have poor self-esteem, are poor judges of character and will rebel against authority figures when they are older.
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