Hansa Parashar
TYPES OF PARENTING STYLES
- Autocratic parenting style: In this method of parenting, certain strict rules or norms are laid down by the parents for their kids. The children are required to obey them, the failure of which can lead to punishment for the children which may involve abusive language to insult the child, or even corporal punishment.
- The child may learn to be disciplined and possess high sense of self control but this style of parenting can lead to deeply ingrained negative self-concept in the child as well.
- His perception about his talents, world can change drastically. The difference between the child’s ideal self and real self could become large which could lead to neurosis and pessimistic thinking.
- Laissez-faire parenting style: This is a complete opposite of the autocratic parenting style. In this style of parenting, the parents leave everything on the will of the child without much interference.
- This practice gives the child a sense of responsibility and belief in one’s own abilities and potential.
- But at the same time, the child may lose the sense of what is right or wrong for her/him.
- The over permissiveness given by parents can make a child think that he is supreme and has knowledge and experience of everything and could lose the respect for her/his parents.
- He/she may overlook his responsibility for his parents and family at large by taking it for granted.
- Democratic parenting style: In this parenting style the opinions of the child and the decisions of the parents are given equal importance. The parents keep a check on the actions of the child and at the same time acts as a facilitator and a counselor for the holistic development of the child.
- The child can share his feelings and life experiences without being judged by the parents.
- This develops a strong parent-child relationship where the child looks up to his/her parents without any self-doubt and grows up to be a fully functioning person.
Participation in the household’s decisions makes a child feel that he is an integral and significant part of his family. This boosts his self-esteem and a positive self-concept.
All the parenting styles has some pros and cons, but democratic style of parenting can work wonders for both parents and their children.
