Authoritarian, Permissive And Democratic Parenting Styles In The Glass Castle

Imagine if someone did all your laundry, payed all your bills, called your professors and bosses, and basically solved all your problems for you. You may feel grateful at first until you realize that they are denying you the right to be self-sufficient. This is exactly how adult children feel when their parents are overinvolved. Overparenting has been a popular media topic recently. Whereas parents used to stop supporting their children as soon as they turned eighteen (Etterson 5), more and more parents are continuing to hover, which is commonly referred to as helicopter parenting (“Helicopter” 1). This type of parenting involves “... inappropriate levels of parental directiveness, tangible assistance, problem-solving, monitoring, and involvement into the lives of children” (Segrin, et al. 1). Even though helping a child learn to navigate through adulthood can have a positive impact on their life, parents should be wary of believing that what they consider to be best for their child is also want their child wants. Parents should only provide their adult children with advice and allow them to make their own

A parent’s parenting styles are as diverse as the world we live in today. Nowadays, parents only want what is best for their children and their parenting styles plays a crucial role in the development of children which will in the long run, not only effect the child’s childhood years, but later prolong into their adult life as well.

Thesis Statement: The essay written by Jerri Cook (2009), titled Confessions of the World’s Worst Parent, presents a comparison of the book Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry written by Lenore Skenazy and the way she brought up her son. Main Points: ¶ 1-2 Main Point: Some parents give their children the freedom to explore their surroundings without constant supervision. ¶ 3 Main Point: Others (i.e. teachers) may identify this lack of attention as a sign of negligence. ¶ 4 Main Point: Good parents are always looking after their children and their safety. ¶ 5 Main Point:

Amy Chua stirs up a controversial topic of the differences between Chinese and Western parenting styles in the article “Adapted from Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother”. One may believe that the Chinese way is too harsh as others may believe Western parents are too lenient. Any parent can relate to one or both parenting styles that Chua is discussing. This article is reaching out to parents who are unaware of the Chinese and Western parenting styles. To give the readers a better understanding of how each parenting style works. This article was based on Chua’s personal experiences as a Chinese parent.

I just recently had the opportunity to read the magazine article from The Atlantic titled “The Overprotected Kid” by Hanna Rosin. This article constantly critiques and bashes society along with the parenting styles of today. I agree with Rosin that parents are too protective over their children because parents today are holding back their children and are preventing them from many experiences. Fortunately, my parents were not part of this trend, allowing me to explore and learn from my own experiences and mistakes. Playgrounds are becoming to a point that is almost too safe and children are taking less risks. Playgrounds and parents are not allowing kids to learn on their own and experience life while taking risks.

“Helicopter Parenting College Students”, Schiffrin Holly H and colleagues argue that “when parents solve problems for their children, then children may not develop the confidence and competence to solve their own problems” (Holly H et al .554). Holly H claims that if parents keep managing their childrens’ lives, they will be unable to manage their lives on their own. In short, helicopter parenting is causing children to be fearful of independence.

Questions have been raised on whether Chinese parenting raises more flourishing children than Western parenting. Despite what people think, in Amy Chua's essay “The Roar of the Tiger Mom”, she portrays the differences between the beliefs of Chinese parenting and Western parenting. Chua introduces the views of a Chinese parent compared to the views of a Western parent. The methods used by Chinese mothers in raising their children are drastically different from Western mothers. Each defends their methods and believes the other group is doing their job poorly. In the end, both types of parents just want one thing-- successful children.

Authoritative parents “set standards, but also give their child choices. They recognize the good things that their child does, but they do not overlook the bad things. These parents are more confident and nurturing. They set standards that their child can meet. Usually, this type of parenting leads to a positive self-image in the child (Black, 2008). Permissive parents “do not control their children, it is more like the other way around. There is no discipline, and the child grows up knowing they can get whatever they want. When the parent does try to discipline, the child doesn't take it seriously. These parents give in easily and avoid confrontation whenever possible” (Black, 2008). In general American parents raise their children to have an individual personality, and to be independent from a very young age. “Firm disciplines are directed toward the infant and these are gradually relaxed as the child grows” (Suzuki, 2000).

According to Amy Chua in “Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior”, the parenting styles of “Chinese mothers” are much more effective than “Western parents”. Chua writes her title most likely in an attempt to attract attention and cause controversy. She argues that the parenting styles of Chinese mothers may seem as though they don’t care for their children, but that isn’t the case. Chua states that Chinese mothers push their children so they “can be ‘the best’, and that ‘academic achievement reflects successful parenting,’” (Chua 262). She states, on the other hand, that Western parents are too worried about their child’s self-esteem. She argues in her article that Chinese parents can get away with things Western parents can’t such as calling their children “garbage”, their children owe their parents everything, and the parents know what is best for their children and override all of their children’s own wishes. Although Chua raises the point that Chinese mothers tend to have more successful children than Western parent, the children’s mental health, and sometimes physical health, from these extreme acts of parenting can put the child in

There is many questions on how to parent a child in order to help them be successful in life. Although parenting style various greatly, most all parents put into practice what regulations in which they think will help their child succeed in life. Some parents, known as Chinese parents are extremely strict, and on the other end of the spectrum there is western parents, who do not expect as much from their child. In Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom,” Chua explains what it is like to have Chinese parenting techniques. She attempts to justify the struggles, beliefs, and methods of Chinese parents, as compared to western parents, and how they both have the end goal - to prepare their child to succeed in life.

What is your parenting style? Do you have authoritarian parenting style; meaning you are demanding but unresponsive to your child's needs or wishes. Maybe you have a permissive parenting style. This style has two possible categories. First there is permissive-indulgent parent whom are responsive, warm, and accepting of their children, but provide few rules or rarely punish their children. Second option under this label is permissive-indifferent whom are parents that are both unresponsive and uncontrolling. The last type of parenting style is the authoritative style. Which is which is responsive, warm, and involved with the child; sets clear standards for mature, age appropriate behavior, expect their child to be responsive to the parents demands. So what is your parenting style? I will provide a observation review of some parenting style of children playing at a park and describe the interaction between the parent and the child.

How bitter the words were! If a child never get mother’s acclaim and encouragement, how sorrowful one’s heart feels! Here comes a contrasting comparison of western and Chinese parenting—western parents encourage and praise their child much more often than Chinese parents do. This encouragement helps them create new ideas, independent opinions, developing unique and sparkling characters. Whereas Chinese parents believe in the old saying, “a strict teacher produces outstanding students”, strictness and criticism are important educating guide lines for Chinese parents, which results in obedience and collectivism, compromise, no psyche and no guts to say no. But on the other hand, Chinese do behave better in harsh and high-pressured condition due to their strict training in childhood.

The four different styles of parenting are authoritarian, democratic, permissive (or laissez-faire), and uninvolved. An example of the authoritarian style of parenting would be if the parents in a family never let their kids have a say in anything and they expect their children to never question their decisions. An example of the democratic style of parenting would be if the parents of a child debate a lot with them if the child asks to somewhere. An example of the permissive (or laissez-fair) style of parenting would be if the parents always let their children have the final say in decision making, such as a child always getting to eat junk food because that's what they want to eat. Lastly, an example of the uninvolved style of parenting would

Children must be allowed to grow and mature at their own natural pace. The old saying ‘kids must be kids’ is based on this basic need. Dr. Sigel of the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey says “Denying, or at least not recognizing, the child’s active outreaching curiosity has negative consequences.” (ProQuest, New York Times, pg. 2). When hothousing a child occurs parents run the risk of the children having what is known as achievement anxiety. This is when a child “come(s) to believe they are valued for what they memorize or produce or achieve”. (ProQuest, New York Times, pg. 2). It appears that there is more evidence that supports the belief that ‘mother knows best’. Meaning, children belong in the care of their mothers, at home, where they can be allowed to play, daydream, and explore their environments.

But as soon as children start feeling that their parents care too much, they try to get back at them and do just what their parents don't want them to do. On the other hand kids who face lack of freedom may end up turning into introverts afraid to speak to other people or not as social (which is not a bad thing though).