Parenting is the act of supporting a child’s physical, emotional and intellectual growth from childhood to adulthood. It is the act of bringing up a child whether or not you are the biological parent. Typically, the biological parents do the parenting, but elder siblings, relatives, legal guardians and the local community can also do parenting.
Parenting is not natural, people are not born knowing how to parent, but some people are born with a natural personality that makes it easier for them to parent. Being open to learning improves your parenting skills and each day you become a better parent. It is a continuous process and can also learn from other parents, attend parenting classes or get information from magazines and books. If with all these sources you still have issues that you may feel are unsolved, you can consult a professional for parents and children issues.
Types of Parenting
1. Authoritarian Parenting
Here the parents are very firm and strict and have set rules for the children which they require to be obeyed unquestioningly. Behaviour and discipline are enforced through punishment. In case of disobedience, the children are punished without any explanation. This is more like corporal punishment.
Even with the stern and strict approach, this does not guarantee that the kids will be well behaved or successful; rather, kids from this type of families tend to be less resourceful, less social with other people and are mostly bullies.
2. Authoritative Parenting
Here the expectations on the child and the parent’s responsiveness are average and the parents take charge, they are aware of the child’s feelings and what the child can do and therefore support the child’s development. The parents set their expectations and are clear on what they want and communicate the same to the kids, they ensure that the kids work towards this.
The parents set the house rules and explain to the kids the reason for this and the kids understand why some things have to be done in a certain way. In this parenting approach, the parents usually seek the kids’ opinion and this allows them to communicate on what they do not like and this avoids secrecy in the family.
For instance, your daughter fails in her examination. You talk to her, encourage her to work harder and tell her why she needs to work hard and what passing examinations mean in her life.
Kids from this type of parenting are usually independent and overconfident at doing their work, they fit and are comfortable in any kind of environment, are good speakers and skilled negotiators, they are social beings.
3. Permissive Parenting
Here the child’s freedom is considered and valued. The parents are very easy on the children and there is little or no punishment, rather there is reasoning and explanation.
Parents give in to the kids’ demands regardless of whether the demand is good or bad, just to please the kids.
The children are usually happy and this seems easier in the short run but in the long run, it is a big problem as it often creates irresponsible, self-centred and indisciplined kids. The kids are demanding and get angry when things don’t want as they want.
4. Uninvolved Parenting
Here the parents are absent either physically or emotionally, and there is little or no communication. They don’t respond to the kid’s demand and don’t demand anything from the kid. The parents are busy with their work and have no time for the kids. They only provide food, clothing, and shelter to the kids, not more than that.
Children under this strategy have behavioral issues, they internalize problems, they lack proper guidance, and this tends to get them into trouble with, e.g., the school authorities and later with the law.
Conclusion
Authoritative parenting is more beneficial than the authoritarian style or the too soft permissive styles. Authoritative parents are warm and nurturing; they use positive discipline. In return, their children are happy, independent and self-reliant. The atmosphere in authoritative parenting is both love and obedience, and there is harmony at home.