Introduction to Parenting Styles

When considering my first post, I decided to look back over some of the research I have already done and put on paper. So I am going to take excerpts of a research paper that I wrote regarding parenting styles and provide some introductory information on the different types and the predictive behavioral results that each parenting style may produce. The paper is entitled Parenting Styles as Related to Childhood Delinquency. Please be advised that I am not suggesting all individuals falling under certain categories will have behaviorally delinquent children, and all delinquent children are not a result of a certain parenting style.

Parents play a crucial role in direct relation to children’s behavior and well-being. Research shows that parental influence on the psychological and emotional development of children relates to the type of behaviors and attitudes that children will display. For parental behavior to become linked to a child’s developmental competence, interplay between emotion and specific behavior occurs (Fletcher, Walls, Cook, Madison & Bridges, 2008).

Each parenting style reflects different elements that occur naturally in patterns of the values, practices, and behaviors that parents place on disciplining and supporting their children. A recent body of research supports parenting styles as good predictors of academic success, psychosocial development, and problem behaviors in children (Bronte-Tinkew, 2006).

Palmer and Hollin (2001) suggest that healthy attachments are linked with child behavior concerning delinquency. Close supervision is an important element in the development of a healthy attachment. Here, parents will be able to teach their children about societal norms and values. Also important in forming healthy attachments, is warmth and nurturance in parent-child interactions. Children who feel loved and accepted are happier and more confident. This combination of strong support and consistent control is positively related to the well-being of adolescents and children (Driscoll & Crocket, 2008).

According to Feldman (2008), authoritarian parents are considered controlling, rigid, and cold. They consider their word the law over their children. They incorporate a strict style of parenting which for them, must result in obedience from their children. Disagreement from the child is not tolerated. In a study done by Hoeve et al. (2008), authoritarian parents and caretakers did relatively well on disciplining characteristics. They showed high levels of supervision but also displayed punishment in a physical way toward their children. Authoritarian parents scored moderately high on disciplining and supportive variables including relationship and supervision and showed high levels of supervision. Children of authoritarian style parenting are apt to become withdrawn. These children are more likely to have limited social skills. They are often uneasy around peers, and boys are unusually hostile toward other individuals (Feldman, 2008).

Feldman (2008) describes authoritative parents as firm and clear in their limitations. They are considered fairly strict, and are also thought to be emotionally loving and supportive. Those that display an authoritative style of parenting incorporate reasoning along with their punishments. When there is disagreements, parents provide explanations to the children rather than 'laying down the law'. In an article done by Fletcher et al. (2008), findings suggest that “An authoritative individual would parent children against a backdrop of warmth and structure (p. 1727)”. Children of authoritative parents have shown to perform better in school, display fewer behavioral issues, and show better adjustment emotionally. Parental affection can facilitate children’s adjustment. Children of authoritative parents usually hold the best characteristics of the four parenting styles. Characteristics include independence, friendliness, and assertiveness. Such children also show strong cooperation skills.

Feldman (2008) describes parents who incorporate a permissive parenting style as having inconsistent feedback with their children. In their minds, little is required from the child and little responsibility is taken for the child. They do not require much from their children. Feldman claims that little or no limits or control is placed on the children’s behavior. According to Driscoll and Crockett (2008), the number of teens with permissive parents is increasing with the generations of immigrants.Children of permissive parents are often negatively dependent, moody, and have low social skills and self-control (Feldman, 2008). Parents of indulgent children are considered highly engaged in the parenting process, but display difficulties with setting limitations to their children’s behavior. Parents may be likely to engage in inconsistent disciplinary efforts or “give in” to their children’s coercive pressure (Fletcher et al., 2008). It has been suggested that a high level of affection can help to compensate for the negative effects of psychological control (Aunola & Nurmi, 2005).

According to Hoeve et al. (2008), uninvolved parents had the worst relationships with their children. The discipline techniques they used were inadequate in being productive. Hoeve claims that the children of neglecting parents were supervised poorly and were physically punished. Physical discipline predicts an increase in problem behavior in children and adolescents over time. Feldman (2008) describes children of uninvolved parents to be the worst off of the four styles. These children lack the emotional development that other peers experience. They often feel unloved, and emotionally detached. The lack of involvement in their children’s lives can often hinder the physical and cognitive development of the child. Adolescents who come from neglecting families as well as permissive families have a higher risk of manifesting licit and illicit drug use than those children that come from authoritative and authoritarian families (Adalbjarnarddlir & Hafsteinsson, 2001).

Parenting styles are relationships between attitudes and behaviors of parents towards their children. This creates an environment for the behavior of both the parent and the child. There is extensive empirical evidence for familial risk factors and styles of parenting that help to explain levels of delinquency in children. Hoeve et al. (2008) found strong links in a study between parenting styles and delinquency. They suggest that there are many theories involved in projecting parental characteristics as responsible for delinquent behavior that contribute to the positive relationship.

There is much evidence that shows that parents play a critical role that directly relates to children’s behavioral well-being (Fletcher et al., 2008). For parents to have a positive relationship with their children is to contribute to the positive outcome of their lives. Supervision, warmth, and supportive disciplines are all important predictors of adolescent development as related to delinquency (Bronte-Tinkew, 2006). It is clear that children from authoritative homes fare the best when it comes to delinquency. Those coming from neglecting and permissive homes are more likely to engage in delinquent behaviors.

Reference page available upon request.

Hello to anyone who may have stumbled across my little 'ole blog :) This is me.

I'm currently a counseling intern at Miller Counseling Services, P.C. and so excited to learn and grow from a wonderful staff coming from different backgrounds and specialties! My curious mind constantly leads me to question and absorb from the different perceptions and experiences of others.

God has blessed me with passions in my life, and has allowed me to build upon one in particular in the helping profession. I long to help those in need, and those who don't have the means to currently help themselves. I have experience in mentoring and behavior monitoring with adolescents with cognitive disabilities, particularly autism. I am also currently working with children with behavioral, emotional, and cognitive deficiencies.

I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2008 (Go Wolfies!). I am in the finishing stages of completing my masters at Liberty University. I enjoy reading and discussing Jesus, and the role of spiritual warfare today. Some other of my passions and interests include music, photography, writing, and laughing.

This will be a place where you can read about life issues, intervention strategies, therapeutic techniques, and ways to help yourself! Comments and suggestions are welcome :)