Both authoritative and permissive parenting styles approaches encourage child autonomy, by promoting the ability to act and think by him/herself, and to be independent. This autonomy granting varies in independence level between the two child rearing styles. The authoritative parent encourages the child to act with maturity giving reasons for their expectations; as a result the child listen and tries to understand what is expected of her and why. Consequently the child feels heard, and therefore feels inclined to respect his/her parents; also this type of communication helps the child to develop critical thinking. The authoritative parents take conflict moments and turn them into ‘teaching moments’ to promote the child’s self-regulation (Darling & Steinberg, 1993). They also allow the child to make decisions gradually, in areas where they are prepared to make choices. Further research shows that a mixture of autonomy granting, with demanding and support from parents, leads to a more confident child and academically persistent. Also, self-efficacy has been shown to be successful in overcoming fears, success in the work place and academic performance (Turner, Chandler & Heffer, 2009). The permissive parent, on the other hand, do not grant autonomy gradually, instead they encourage the child to freely make decisions alone at an age where they are not prepared to do so. The child can choose to eat whenever they want; sleep whenever they want and they control their own activities (Baumrind, 1966). Although some parents may believe in this approach and therefore applying it; others might lack the confidence to act as an influence in their child’s life, and in some cases, this approach is a result of the lack of autonomy the parent experienced as a child. By granting full freedom as a tool to promote autonomy and not creating any structure, the permissive parent may fail to motivate their child to work hard in school, research shows that the child of a permissive parent in the future will lack persistence when face with difficult tasks. Such children may find it extremely difficult to adjust to a structured environment as they are used to no boundaries. (Darling & Steinberg, 1993)
In contrast, both authoritarian and uninvolved parents do not encourage child autonomy. An authoritarian parent limits the child’s self-expression and independence, by keeping the child in their place thus, restricting their autonomy. They make decisions for their children according with their expectations and expect them to accept it (Baumrind, 1966); the lack of autonomy may lead to the child to be withdrawn, anxious and unhappy (Berk, 2017). The uninvolved parent does not offer any guidance nor set expectations for behaviour. This type of parenting has a general indifference to anything related to autonomy, not only the child will perfom poorly in almost every are of life, but will also show deficits in attachment, emotional and social skills (Berk, 2017).
Both authoritarian and authoritative parenting approaches are demanding and controlling. However, the strictness level differs significantly between the two. According to Baumrinds (1966) research, authoritarian type of parenting involves strict rules and conditions, which are meant to shape a child’s behaviour and instill discipline according to a set of standards of conduct. This type of parenting demands that the child obeys unquestioningly; it will not tolerate misbehaving, and will resort to punishment, criticizing and resort to threats to restore order. Authoritative parents, on the other hand, encourage high but realistic standards and therefore, they set rules and regulations to direct and control their children. They make reasonable demands and spend time explaining the reason behind it; this parenting style exerts firm control, but does not hem the child with restrictions, and they only use punishment to discourage misdeeds (Baumrind, 1966). Both authoritarian and authoritative parents have high expectations; they expect their child to meet the standards set in order to become responsible and productive members of society (Miller & Speirs Neumeister, 2017). However, the expectations made by the authoritarian parent can be unrealistic and to difficult for the child’s developing capacities, while the authoritative parent holds high but achievable expectations accordingly with the child’s capacities according to their age and abilities (Spera, 2005).
In contrast, both permissive and uninvolved parenting styles are undemanding and less controlling. The two child-rearing styles are characterized by few rules and boundaries. Therefore, these parenting approaches give the child freedom by imposing none or minimal limits (Hopkins, 2015). A permissive parent avoids exercising control over the child’s behaviour and to create responsibilities, allowing the children to do anything they want without restrictions. This is similar to the uninvolved parenting whereby parents allow their children to do anything they want without restrictions (Givertz, 2015). Both permissive and uninvolved parents put little or no emphasis on discipline but instead, yield to the child’s demands. Therefore, the children of both parenting styles may become disobedient, and rebellious when asked to do something that they don’t feel like, and may end up engaging in destructive activities since he/she is not restricted by any rules or regulations. Both parenting styles cause the child to develop poor emotional self-regulation and self-control. The child may also lack discipline and thus, adopt deviant behaviors. Such children encounter adjustment problems when placed in a structured environment, which has rules, such as school. The child may also show minimal interest in schoolwork and thus, may register low grades.
From the above discussion, it is clear that the authoritative parenting style is the most effective since it delivers positive outcomes. Authoritative parents are responsive to the needs of their children, and therefore, they form quality relationships. They incorporate effective communication with their child, and this helps enhance the child’s emotional safety. Children raised by authoritative parents have better social skills and a great sense of self-esteem (Pinquart, 2016). They exhibit high self-control, and therefore, they are able to avoid deviant activities. Several studies support the idea that the children of authoritative parents not only were the most motivated, competent and the most achievement oriented, but also are positive associated with better academic performance (Turner, Chandler & Heffer, 2009).
The various parenting styles have unique attributes and outcomes. Authoritarian parenting shares some similar elements with an authoritative approach since the two impose strict rules and conditions in order to instil discipline. This differs profoundly from both permissive and uninvolved parenting. Permissive parenting does not set limits and therefore, allows the child to do whatever he/ she likes. However, permissive parents are caring and responsive to the child’s needs. Uninvolved parents, on the other hand, are indifferent to the child’s needs and normally absent. This causes the child to develop severe psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. Although each parenting style applies to different situations, research shows that authoritative parenting is the most effective of the four parenting styles, because it yields a higher number of psychological and behavioral positive results allowing the child to become a happy and fruitful member of society.
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