The Authoritative Parenting Style By Diane Baumrind

The psychologist Diana Baumrind identified three categories of parenting styles and linked them to children’s behaviors. “Authoritative” parents is one example, parents that have strong control when necessary, but they explain why and allow them to have their own opinion.

Research has shown that out of the other parenting styles, authoritative is the most beneficial (Williams). When parent's use that parenting style, they have high expectations for their children. Other research has shown that when parents are authoritative and have high standards for their kids, their children will have a bond with their parents and they will learn how valuable it can be. People need to know how important creating good relationships with their children are because it will create trust between the parents and their family. It is always good for parents to communicate clearly to their children and set expectations that will have positive outcomes for the days to

Authoritative parenting is a style common in many households that may lead to a dysfunctional family unit. Apart from the permissive and neglectful parent, authoritative parents want the best out of their children. The idea that authoritative parents want the best out of their child may be too unrealistic in certain family dynamics consequently creating a dysfunctional family. Like the McCandless family, the authoritarian family begins with the head of the household, the commander in chief, typically the “father

* Authoritative parents set clear and consistent limits for children. They are flexible but firm, whichs leads to children who are responsible, cooperative, and self reliant.

Authoritative parents set high goals for their children and encourage more responsibility and freedom, within well-outlined rules. It is said that children of authoritative parents usually grow up to be very independent, socially successful, and respectful of authority.

Using authoritative parenting style requires setting boundaries while still being able to listen and be patient with the child. Here is an example of the authoritarian parenting style: A child is caught hitting their playmate. The parent responds by grabbing the child and spanking them without any explanation of why hitting is immoral. Thus punishing the child with the same misconduct the child has committed results in mocking of the punishment behavior. Using authoritarian style requires the ability to be dominantly harsh while giving punishment without an explanation.

• Authoritative parenting is attentive to their children’s needs and will typically forgive and teach versus punishment for the child’s short comings. The result is the children have a higher self-esteem and independence. This is most recommended parenting style by experts.

Research indicates that about one-third of all parents use authoritative style of parenting. Regardless of the preferred style, varying factors such as culture, the temperament of the child and parent, and parental status will influence the interactive process of that style. Most parents could benefit from knowledge and information of these style to improve their parenting skills.Parenting style is a pattern of behavior that influences child-rearing practices. Approaches vary based on several factors, ranging from how parents themselves were raised to the goals parents have for their children.

This study explored the relationships of authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles college students received during childhood, love-oriented rewards, object-oriented rewards, and the student’s academic success. The statistical analysis that will be used to preform this study is a two by three; within subjects two-tailed ANOVA to determine the significance between groups. The question at hand, does different parenting styles (authoritative and authoritarian) associated with reward (love-oriented and object-oriented) affect academic success, will show a significant affect. Authoritative parenting style is predicted to show a high response rate to a love-orientated reward while authoritarian parenting style is predicted to show a high response

Thesis: The authoritative parenting style is the most effective style for producing children that have desirable traits, such as good morals, obedience, compassion and responsibility.

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).

Diane Baumrind’s typology has two major dimensions. The first dimension is responsiveness. In the text it mentions that responsiveness “refers to the extent in which parents respond to and meet the needs of their children.” (Knox 364). This is when parents support, encourage, and foster their children’s needs. The second dimension is demandingness which is “the matter in which parents place demands on children in regard to expectations and discipline.” (Knox 364). This is about how strict a parent is and how much control these use on their children.

The most influential parenting in my life was Authoritative. As a child, I knew what was right and wrong and I was often given advice on what to do and what not to do. My grandmother instilled morals in me that I still have today. As far as my father, he used Authoritarian parenting when I lived with him. I had rules and regulations on what I could and could not do and he often used force (corpral punishment) to enforce his rules. However, because I got whooped by both of them, I have discipline and respect today.

However, authoritative parenting style has no effect with children when children grow up. Children can be scolded or punished when they do in the wrong ways. Therefore, authoritative parenting style sometimes is not a good way to nurture children.

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).