Three Different Parenting Styles, Are You Authoritarian, Authoritative Or Permissive?

Take a trip down memory lane, how did yourbecome self-destructive (Baumrind 1977).
parents try to manage your behaviour. WereAuthoritative parenting still have limits on their
they controlling, guiding or just laid back. Chanceschildren but encourage them to be more
are that you probably use the same techniquesindependent and to make their own decisions,
to discipline your own offspring. We all would havegiving guidance when needed. Using this technique
learnt from experiences throughout our ownwith children seem to create a more cooperative
childhood.child. When requested to perform a task they see
The way your parents brought you up is probablyit as being fair and reasonable. These children tend
the same way you are raising your children rightto be more self-confident when it comes to
now.dealing with their own needs, they have a
Diana Baumrind (1967) suggests that there areconfidence in their parents that they will always
three parenting styles used by parents to helpbe there for them, listen to their needs. In doing
children with behaviour.this, these parents will create a child that will
The three types of parenting styles are:develop trust for others either in business or just
Authoritarian - a parent who likes to control.in family life.
Authoritative - someone who leads and givesPermissive parents are responsive but not
guidance.demanding. Tending to be more lenient and
Permissive (Laissez-faire) - an anything goes, laidtolerant. These parents are very nurturing and
back casual approach. (Children are people too, aaccept children's needs and wants. Letting children
parent's guide to young children's behaviour. Louisemake their own decisions early in their life even if
Porter, 2001)they are not capable of doing so. No rules or
Controlling parents have strict rules that must beboundaries are set and children are made to feel
followed. They try to have power over theiras though they are free. Children raised by lenient
children and issue commands at all times. Andparents can have higher self-esteem and better
issue demands and are unresponsive. There is nosocial skills but are inclined to have behaviour
room for failure to comply with these rules theyproblems.
make or punishment will be the result. TheseThese parenting styles teach our children and can
children have a tendency to be more reserved,be a great influence on how they develop and
more apprehensive, unhappy and have low selfsocialise throughout their learning years and into
esteem. Confrontational, angry and unwilling toadulthood.
persist with most tasks that they encounter.Nobody is an expert at raising children, there is no
Children of controlling parents are unable to makehandbook to follow but using a little from each
decisions on their own and sometimes canstyle can be the best approach.