Parenting Styles

Authoritarian Parents: impose rules and expect obedience.  They say things like: don't talk while I'm talking, do what I say or you'll be grounded, I don't care, do what I say, don't talk, just do what I say, because I said so.  They expect a lot of kids, they enforce rules, but they are not responsive to their child's needs.



Permissive Parents: submit to their kids desires.  They make little to no demands and use little punishment.  They set rules but don't follow through.  If the kid cries they give in and do what the kids wants.  They let kids hang with whoever they want, they enable poor behavior by demanding very little of their kids.  They are more concerned about their kids liking them and being friends with their kid.



Authoritative Parents: demanding and responsive to kids needs.  They maintain control by setting rules, and enforcing the rules.  They are consistent with enforcing rules.  If they make a mistake they are not afraid to acknowledge it to the kid and then correct the mistake.  They take time to explain the reasons for the rules.  With older children they encourage open discussion about thoughts, emotions and perceptions.  They will discuss the making of rules and allow exceptions. They know that parenting comes first and friendship comes last.  Kids have many friends they only have one set of parents. 



We've got parenting styles that are too hard, too soft and just right.

Studies reveal that children who have the highest self-esteem, social competence and self-reliance have parents who are warm, concerned, and authoritative.

Children who display less self-esteem and have less social skill have parents who are authoritarian.

Children who tend to be more aggressive and immature have parents who are permissive.

Reference:

Myers, D. G. (2010). Psychology. (9th ed.). New York, New York: Worth Publishers.