Authoritarian Vs. Authoritarian Parenting Essay

The most conflicted relationship between authoritarians and respect of parents is most commonly found between

Over time, many studies have achieved a common objective; to group parenting behaviors into related clusters called parenting styles. Parenting styles, according to a 2007 article in the “Journal of Education and Human Development,” are a mixture of demandingness and responsiveness. Authoritarian parents are

Communication is important in discipline. Authoritarian parents tend to place an excess worth on the aspects of disciplining a child. Reasons or explanations of the rules for the punishment were never given with my mother. Being an authoritative parent, I lean towards allowing my children to know why the rules are such and what to expect when the rules are broken. A lot of authoritarian power base is achieved through parental intimidation of the child. The authoritative parent is less likely to respond my anger to a rebellion against their rules. When my mother gave punishments they were neither effective nor appropriate. However, by learning through experience I parent with firm but appropriate

While developmental experts agree that rules and boundaries are important for children to have, most believe that authoritarian parenting is too punitive and lacks the warmth, unconditional love and nurturing that children need.

The authoritarian parenting style is a style in which the parent has the only say. This parenting style “is based on obedience and the expectation of a child obeying without an explanation required” (McMillian). Authoritarian parents are more likely to discipline their children. Children of authoritarian parents don’t often get

Authoritarian parents hold their children to an exceedingly high level of status and success. In this style of parenting, children are expected to follow the strict rules established by the parents. Failure in following rules typically results in

Authoritarian parents normally do not interact with their children in positive ways and usually install fear into the child. Punishment is usually harsh and given without explanation. Children with authoritarian parents are often anxiety- ridden. Studies have shown that these children have lower self- esteem, show high aggressiveness and typically do less well in school. Permissive parenting consists of high nurture and acceptance, but these parents lack structure and control. These parents look at their children as “free spirits” who need space to learn and grow. Permissive parents are usually inconsistent with discipline. Children with permissive parents normally are impulsive and irresponsible. These children also lack any self- control since none was expected (Sclafani 47).

Authoritarian parents have low involvement and high demand on their children. They are extremely harsh and require their children to submit to their commands and surveillance with little or no communication. Children with these type of parents are not given room to discuss with their parents. They are to comply to their parents with unquestionable respect, and great levels of achievement are anticipated at all times. The result of defying the commands is merciless punishment, which can include yelling and hitting.

It is a relationship of power exercised by the parent over the child, with little mutual understanding or discussion”(Hughes, 2013). Essentially, this style can be effective in methods of getting a child to listen and always working to their full potential. Although these are strong aspects to have in a child there are negative motives in authoritarian parenting. This style of disciple can affect a child’s cognitive and social development. As a result of this, children tend to feel overwhelmed and become unhappy because of the amount of pressure put on them. In authoritarian parenting,

They want their children to live  and enjoy the carefree life they couldn’t have.  However, authoritarian parents are strict with their children because they experienced the life of a child of permissive parents. For this reason, they know how it feels to be out on the streets and how dangerous life can be without the guidance of loved ones. So in order for their children to not feel this grief, they make sure that they do the complete opposite of their parents and lead their child in the right direction.

Authoritarian is only one of three parenting styles that Baumrind details. The other two styles include authoritative and permissive. These two variations in parenting styles were seen in the way my relatives and friends’ parents approached parenting. I observed how the parents of my close friend handled parenting. They maintained control over aspects in my friend’s life like school and chores but allowed the freedom to make decisions in areas of social activities. The most striking difference between my parents and my friend’s is the use of reasoning and the expression of warmth. Her parents provided justification behind their commands and or punishments while maintaining a sense of love and affection. The bond and love that is evident between my friend and her parents is not as strong in the relationship between my parents and me. The style that her parents exhibit is known as authoritative because of their focus on some parental control, use of reasoning and warmth. While on the other hand, my cousins raised their children in a completely different manor using a permissive parenting style. While they provide obvious love and affection towards their children, they fail to exert control and regulations. They did not have any real sense of rules in their household. Their children tend to act and do whatever they wanted with little to no repercussions.

In my recent psychology class we studied parenting styles. They are grouped into three different categories; authoritarian, authoritative, and overly permissive. This gave me insight into a couple of different programs I’ve watched on television.Authoritarian parents are parents that set strict rules to keep order and they usually do this without much expression of warmth and affection. “They demand obedience to authority.” (Coon & Mitterer, 2010, p. 91) When the child questions the parent, "Because I said so," is often the response. Parents tend to focus on bad behavior, and not positive behavior, and children are scolded or punished for not after the rules. Authoritative parents help their children learn to be responsible for

The primary focal point of the authoritarian style is on respect rather than parent-child relationships. Authoritarian parents are known for being strict. They lay out rules and expect their children to follow them without question, even if the child has a valid reason for questioning a decision. They establish many rules for the household and leave little or no room for negotiation on policies. Authoritarian parents also fail to explain why the rules exist because they believe that, as the parent, they are the authority on all decisions and shouldn’t be questioned.

The authoritative parenting style is the “In between,” of both the authoritarian and permissive parenting styles, and has a “Give and take approach.” Authoritative parents are very involved in their children’s lives: children help around the home and in decision-making processes, and homework is supervised. This approach to parenting raises children who are responsible, well behaved in school, have a high self-esteem, and good problem solving skills along with decision making skills. The authoritative approach to parenting has very positive effects on children’s lives presently, and in the future. (Marsiglia, C.,Walczyk, J., Buboltz, W., Ross, D. 2007).

In Authoritarian Parenting style of parenting, children are required to follow the strict rules set by the parents. Failure to do so usually results in punishment. Authoritarian parents fail to make clear the reasoning behind these rules.