After rereading the Pages 383 to 392 in the textbook, I thought about how my parents stack up to the different parenting styles. I thought my parents would fall in the strictest group of authoritarian because my whole life it seemed they would not let me do what I wanted to do. I just remember the times they said nowhere they said yes a lot and I just was expecting them to say yes and was not as emotional about the decision. They still had a give and take perspective and set limits but let me figure out stuff on my own. This would most resemble authoritative because it shows they had rules and allowed for me to be independent. This was very interesting for me to understand what parenting style my parents used with me and which parenting style I will try to use when the time comes. So there was not a definite answer to who has the best parents but through reading about the four different styles of parenting: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful, I found authoritative parenting would be the best parenting style. This style is a mix between authoritarian (very strict, teaching rule following) and permissive (few rules, allowing for freedom and independence) parenting.
Who has the best parents!
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This is very interesting! I knew some parents were more strict than others, but I didn't know there were four specific styles of parenting. My parents are both authoritative and they set strict boundaries, but they will cut me some slack at the same time. I always wonder how different growing up would be with authoritarian or permissive parents. Same with what you have said above, I think the way my parents treat me will reflect the way I treat my kids in the future.
In how I grew up, my mom gave me a lot of opportunities...but she was still strict enough to the point that I had structure. I agree that children, especially the younger they are, need structure, or else they grow up with a lack of motivation.
Going another direction with it, I believe both our race and our economic class have a strong influence over what kind of parenting technique we use. For example, my parents (middle-class Americans) were authoritative, but I would presume a parent that was, say, impoverished and from another part of the world, might have a very different approach to raising their children.
Taking this a slightly different direction, I think that both one's economic and racial background influence the type of parent one becomes. My parents, as middle-class white Americans, are authoritative. However, I would expect, say, an impoverished parent from a third world country would have a very different approach to parenting.
I agree completely. I think authoritative parents have the best approach to raising their children. In one sense I believe that children don't have the experience, development, or raw knowledge to make certain decisions or actions on their own. When looking at it from this point of view, it is clear that children need structure and discipline. This is a very authoritarian approach. On the other hand though, I think that as children develop they need a little freedom. They need to be creative and thoughtful and make their own mistakes. This is a permissive approach. Authoritative parents have the best of both worlds because they allow the freedom necessary for children to experience their own lives, yet they guide and protect them along the way. I hope and plan to be an authoritative parent someday.
I would definitely have to agree with you, that authoritative is the most effective, and essentially best parenting style. It combines the best of both worlds as parents set boundaries for children, but still allow them to figure some things out on their own. My parents were definitely under the authoritative category. My mom especially set certain boundaries that kept me out of trouble and attempted to help me avoid some of the hurt I could experience. But, while doing this, she also allowed me to establish myself on my own and learn from some of my own mistakes.
I would say that my parents were also athoritative. I also agree that this is a good parenting style because it allows kids to make mistakes learn things on their own while setting limits when they need extra guidance. I also think that trusting is an important aspect if this parenting style. When parents trust their children, it makes them want to make the right decisions so that they don't betray that trust. It also makes them more likely to trust their parents in return.
I would agree with you that authoritative is the best style. I, like you, always thought that my parents were incredibly strict until learning about parenting styles. It turns out that they were actually quite authoritarian. I think that is the best style because it allows children freedom while also giving them enough boundaries. You do not want to be too strict or too passive that your children lose respect for you.
I agree with you that the authoritarian parenting style is the best way to teach children. My parents were also quite authoritarian where they had rules for me, but they still let me do things that were reasonable. Good post!
I agree as well, and think most people would. My parents had strict rules for me but at the same time allowed me to live my life, realizing that I need to figure the world out on my own to some extent. I am glad for the guidelines they set up for me as well as the freedom they gave me to experience things for myself. Obviously there needs to be a balance, and every parent needs to find the balance they are comfortable with but I think we can all agree it falls under the umbrella of authoritarian.
After reading one of the comments above on parenting having to do with a family's economic and racial background, I actually totally understand and agree with that statement. My parents and grandparents came from a 3rd world country and their parenting style was strictly authoritarian. There was no question or argument ever, your parent was just always right, and that's just how it is (even if they're wrong). But upon their immigration here, and I being an American kid with a variety of diverse friends, I have seen so many different kinds of parenting styles that are influenced by culture. It has made me realize that there is not necessarily a right or wrong way to parent, it just depends on the type of environment and culture you come from that may make it right or wrong.
I agree completely; I think that an authoritative provides children with the support they need as well as some clear rules and restrictions to guide the child in the right direction. I think, when looking at my friend's families as well as my own, children tend to adopt similar parenting styles as their parents did to them.However, I don't think that if a parents is permissive or authoritarian necessarily makes them a "bad parent."