Exploratory Parenting Research

Parenting techniques are different around the world, which is strongly related to how culture has a direct impact on families (Nelson, Nelson, Hart, Yang, & Jin, 2016). For example, East Asian parents try to teach values of honesty, honour, and individualism to their children; meanwhile, Western parents are more likely to endorse a collectivist approach to life, with characteristics like unselfishness, obedience, and respect (Park, Coello, & Lau, 2016). The ways that a Canadian child and Japanese child grow up are very different. Cultures significantly influence both parents’ perceptions and their parenting behaviors.

With over three hundred million Americans and over six billion people worldwide parenting skills are essential to maintain a healthy society. Parenting involves many aspects and requires many skills. It is a time to nurture, instruct, and correct to develop fundamental skills children will need to be mature, responsible, and contributing adults to a society. There are four commonly identified parenting styles; authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved parenting. Of the four parenting styles, two remain on opposite ends of the parenting spectrum. These two styles; authoritarian, and permissive both have deleterious results that are often visible throughout different developmental stages, such as rebellious behavior. As well

women, children, and it also create cross-generational influences unique to every family. In using this example of Asian American families, Brooks (2008) suggested:

A dysfunctional family is where “the one in which the authority line between the parents and children is blurry,” (Keylon) usually occurring because of failed communication. Authoritarian parents are one of the more common factors for the existence of dysfunctional families. These type of parents “believe that children are, by nature, strong-willed and self-indulgent” (Darling). Authoritarians’ strictly follow their beliefs which can range from political, economic, personal, or religious. Therefore, these children are held to a much higher standard due to their parents’ level of strictness.

Kuis, S., Ayers, S., & Baker, T. (2015). Parenting in Two Worlds: Pilot results From A Culturally Adapted Parenting Program For Urban American Indians. Journal of Primary Prevention , 65 - 70.

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

Latino parents face many difficulties while raising their children, and the results of this study demonstrate that the way Dominican parents relate to their children heavily influences their parenting skills. This reduces emotional conduct, hyperactivity, peer problems, and prosocial issues within Latino parenting. Latina families in the United States are at higher risk of developing conduct problems, among other difficulties (Dumka et al., 2010). This article identifies effective strategies to enhance parenting skills and develop a comprehensive understanding of parenting processes, which positively contributes to their developing

Because of how ingrained culture is within a person, many parents are unaware of how large of an impact these cultural biases have when creating a family

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 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.

Researchers have also noticed differences in the way co-parenting is structured when the parental figures are African-Americans. In a study by Riina, E. M., & McHale, S. M. (2012), the authors noted that in comparison to other cultures and races, African-American couples are generally subjected to more difficulty in social contexts (p. 8). The authors then go on to state that this inherent difficulty leads to more emotionally charged parental relationships and a greater likelihood of partner miscommunication and conflict; the findings in this study reveal that with the added stressors from being African-American, there is a greater probability that African-American couples will exhibit unsupportive co-parenting (p.9). The authors also looked at economic stability when gathering their findings, noting that the greater the economic problem within a family, the greater the likelihood of conflict and eventual unsupportive co-parenting (p.27).

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

white, middle- to high-income , English-speaking, Professional and college educated parents who have the most cultural

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.

Thesis Statement: Coming from different backgrounds can be difficult. Being raised based on religion , values , and morals play a huge role in your life. Everyone isn't raised the same . There are many different parenting styles. Today, I will compare and contrast two different parenting styles between African American and Latin American families.