Parenting Styles - How To Make A Correct Choice

Some experts have labeled 6 basic parenting styles, but two of them fall into another category, so there are only 4 styles to mention here.

These can range from the parent who reads the child's personal diary to the one who doesn't even know what is happening in the child's life. We'll start with the upper extreme.

1. The Indulgent Style

This parent is set apart from the traditional parent by giving ground (leniency) and allowing childish behaviors along with little regulation. The main characteristic here is being non-confrontational at all costs.

This style is divided into 2 sub-groups:

• Democratic or those who are devoted to the child but more lenient than most.

• Permissive or those who simply let the child do whatever he/she wants.

2. The Authoritarian Style

While being very demanding and "in charge", these parents do not respond well to the child's needs and wants. Instead, they will issue rules that are highly structured and expect them to be followed to the letter.

This style can also be divided into 2 sub-groups:

• Intrusive or those that will blindly invade the child's privacy. These parents will read diaries or journals and even sneak into the child's email. A complete dictator.

• Non-intrusive which is the exact opposite of the one above. These will give some personal space.

3. The Authoritative Style

Parents like this are both demanding AND responsive. With well defined parameters for conduct and behavior, this parent is non-intrusive and wants the child to grow into a well rounded individual with values. This is the crux of assertiveness, folks.

4. The Uninvolved Style

This is the one of parenting styles we all heard about while growing up. This parent has no idea what is going on in the child's life and, in extreme cases, may not even be on the scene at all.

At best, this is the busy working parent who places a lot of trust in the child and promotes independance. At worse, this is the parent guilty of gross neglect and rejection.

Which style you will use is entirely up to you. You may find a common ground with one or more of parenting styles. Just as each child is different, one style of parenting may work better than another.

In any case, you want to play an ACTIVE role in your child's development. You want that and so does he/she for varying different reasons. We all want to raise a well adjusted, assertive person who is socially and morally responsible among other things.

It may be hard sometimes and it may bring some tears, either from you or the child. Just remember that the kid is going to grow up one day and realize that you were right all along. That is when the payoff will come and when it does, it will be well worth waiting for.

Learn more about parenting styles - Sign up to our free newsletter!

Back to parenting advice

Go back to Home Page