Authoritarian vs Authoritative

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Jan 9, 2024

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Young 1 Miranda Young English Composition 1 15 February 2022 Authoritarian vs Authoritative Parenting Authoritarian parenting has been the main style of parenting in the U.S. for decades. For example, growing up in an authoritarian household, there will be a well-defined authority figure, strict rules, high expectations, and consistent discipline. The same can be said about authoritative parenting. These two similar, yet different parenting styles are often referred to as old school and new school parenting. Authoritarian and Authoritative parents similarly are strict, consistent, and loving parenting forms. Differing in the motivation of how they parent. Authoritarian parents see their job as needing to bend the will of their children to that of authority in the form of parents, teachers, or religious figures. Often, this is motivated by external influence such as religious beliefs. Authoritarian parents often value obedience as a virtue. In contrast, authoritative parents are usually issue-oriented and pragmatic when dealing with the issue. For example, if a child is to question an authoritarian parent, the parent might use the phrase “Because I said so”. This is because in an authoritarian home there is one-way communication, and the authority figure gives orders instead of options. While the authoritarian parent is enforcing the rules they have set out of love, and in the best interests of their children oftentimes this style of parenting can come across as cold. In contrast, when authoritative parents set rules and boundaries, they explain them to their children and encourage their children to communicate with them, and are willing to modify the rules when needed.

Young 2 While authoritarian and authoritative parents both have high expectations for their children. Authoritarian parents often use punitive punishment when these expectations are not met. Punitive punishment is defined as a negative punishment given in response to a negative action by a child. Punitive punishments can range in varying degrees with the highest level being corporal punishment. Differing from the authoritarian parent, an authoritative parent relies on logical and natural punishment to enforce the rules they have set. For example, if a child barely ate their dinner the logical punishment would be no dessert. A natural punishment is a consequence that happens naturally, so in a similar situation, the child would become hungry. While both authoritarian and authoritative parents are involved in their children’s upbringing often the authoritarian parent will monitor their children closely and will issue a punishment when the child oversteps the set boundaries. By doing this, authoritarian parents maintain control by asserting their will onto their children through punitive punishment and coercion. Often, authoritarian parents may have trouble being consistent in punishment due to the number of rules and boundaries they set. Unlike, authoritative parents, that monitor all areas of their child’s life and will offer guidance when needed. Authoritative parents set fewer rules which makes it easier for them to be consistent in issuing punishments when needed. Authoritative parents do not rely on absolute standards but will oftentimes adjust the standards based on the child’s needs. They also rely on two-way communication, explanation, persuasion, and logical or natural punishment when needed. They also rely on socialization in hopes their children will realize and accept their values. According to an article by Psychology Today states

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