Parenting Styles

 Discussion: Parenting Styles

Parenting Styles: Background

Developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind studied different ways in which parents interact with their children and the effects on children’s socioemotional development. Baumrind’s interest was in the quality of parenting, not simply how much time parents spent with their children (quantity). She observed many variations in parenting styles and determined that two dimensions underlie similarities and differences: “demandingness” and “responsiveness.” Baumrind classified three parenting styles by crossing these qualities. Maccoby and Martin (1983) identified the fourth style to complete the diagram.  

Demandingness refers to parents’ expectations of children. Parents high in demandingness expect much of their children, set clear standards of behavior and firm boundaries, and communicate the consequences for breaking rules. High demand may also bring high reward for appropriate behavior. Parents low in demandingness set fewer and lower expectations; their children are allowed more autonomy and self-direction. Low demand is often paired with low responsiveness.

Responsiveness refers to the degree to which parents pay attention to their children and provide support for their efforts. Highly responsive parents often monitor their children’s behavior and step in to correct, redirect, and reward. Low responsiveness is characterized by less attention, longer delays before parents express concern or offer reward, and fewer rewards or punishments.

Crossing these two dimensions creates the four parenting styles in this diagram:

Parenting Styles Diagram

 

Notice that:

High responsiveness characterizes both the Permissive (Indulgent) and Authoritative styles.

Uninvolved (Neglectful) and Authoritarian parents are both low in responsiveness.

High demandingness is seen in both Authoritative and Authoritarian styles, whereas Permissive / Indulgent and Uninvolved / Neglectful parents are low in demandingness.

 

The 4 parenting styles:

Permissive/Indulgent

Parents are tolerant, permissive, and indulgent; few rules and loose enforcement; may not provide structure or boundaries as they encourage children to "be who they are"  

Children seem to be "in charge" of parents and/or themselves; may be encouraged to think and act independently with little censure from parents

Authoritative

High expectations of children, but responsive to their needs and ideas; democratic; clear standards but flexible when needed; parents discuss rules with children and listen to their opinion; may be willing to negotiate a solution

Authoritarian

High expectations and strict rules; controlling and inflexible; demands obedience and punishes infractions; law-and-order with clear authority in charge; children do not have a voice in the process 

Uninvolved/Neglectful

Parents are absent or give little time or attention to children; children seen as a burden and feel unwanted; few rules and little behavioral guidance

May include workaholics, alcoholics, drug abusers, child abusers 

 

 

Parenting Styles Discussion Instructions:

In the last assignment, your caretakers described you as an infant and young child. Now it is your turn to describe your parents and their interaction styles with you. Please note: The questions are written to reflect a traditional mother/father family unit, but there is a great deal of variation in today’s families. Please adjust your answers (and the questions) to fit your family situation as appropriate.

The goal of this assignment is to describe the parenting styles you experienced while growing up. You are asked to describe each parent’s style (if you had two acting parents) or focus only on one if you had a single parent. You may substitute “parental figures” as appropriate, including grandparent(s), aunts & uncles, older siblings, or whomever acted as your parent(s).

Children from single-parent families: For Q 1 or 2, please explain that the parent was not present in your life and describe the woman/man who acted as a mother/father figure, if appropriate. Most children in single-parent families are raised by their mothers or mother figures, but of course this varies. Be careful to identify whether your “missing” parent was completely absent or was there but neglectful, as neglectful/uninvolved is an identified parenting style.

Children with GLTBQ+ parents: Please substitute labels/pronouns as appropriate (e.g., Mom1, Mom2).

Answers must include parenting style labels and descriptions to show your understanding of the concepts. You may use additional academic sources to deepen your understanding of parenting styles. Please cite all sources appropriately and include a full list of references at the end of your responses. 

Privacy Option: If you are uncomfortable answering the questions in a public Discussion forum, you may complete Questions 1-4 and attach to a Canvas email to Dr. Seelau by the deadline for the Initial Post. You will still need to enter your Peer Response (Q5) in the Canvas Discussion.

 

Answer these Discussion questions: (30 points; includes 2 pts for format & clarity)

Identify the parenting style used by your mother/mother figure.* (5 pts)

To show why you picked this style, describe your mother’s typical behaviors toward you.

Consider both demandingness and responsiveness.

Think about how your mother set expectations and responded to both your good behavior and misbehavior. Think about how warm/cool, available/unavailable, strict/permissive, available/unavailable she was.

Which of the four styles fits best?

 

Identify the parenting style used by your father/father figure.* (5 pts)

To show why you picked this style, describe your father’s typical behaviors toward you.

Consider both demandingness and responsiveness.

Think about how your father set expectations and responded to both your good behavior and misbehavior.

Think about how warm/cool, available/unavailable, strict/permissive, available/unavailable he was.

Which of the four styles fits best?

 

Describe how the interaction of parenting styles you experienced has affected your behavior, thoughts about yourself, and emotional development. (8 pts)

Think about what you learned from your parent(s’) style(s) of interaction with you.

How did parenting styles affect your behavior in the family, around your parents and siblings?

How has growing up under this/these parenting style(s) affected your self-concept? Your emotional development and mental health?

How has it affected your social interactions in the world outside of your family? Do you see the influence of parenting styles in how you interact with peers or in romantic relationships?

 

4. When you become a parent/Now that you are a parent: What style will you use and why? (5 pts)