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Different Parenting Styles
When you bring your first newborn home, it can be pretty scary. You may now feel that now you're a parent, you're should have all the answers and know exactly how to raise your child. Often what you know about parenting (good and bad) comes from the way your parents raised you. Sound Parenting Advice is welcomed by many new parents.
Child psychologists have done significant research in the area of parenting styles. They've found the methods can be broken down into three main categories: authoritarian, permissive, and authoritative (also known as balanced or democratic). No one style is correct, and many parents will use techniques from all three parenting styles.
Authoritarian
Parents who are authoritarian believe in structure. While not being abusive, they place high standards of behavior for their children and demand obedience. Adherents to this parenting style get little input from their children when making decisions. This style may be good for children with behavioral or conduct disorders because they need structure and authority. However, if this is not the case, the child of authoritarian parents may have low self-esteem and rely more frequently on the voice of authority.
Permissive
While not being neglectful or careless, permissive parents let their children make many decisions. They use this parenting style to support creativity and spontaneity in their children. These parents use reasoning rather than authority when setting restrictions. This is a good parenting style for withdrawn children, but not for rebellious or aggressive children. This method is not learned in a Parenting Class or Parenting Program. This method often times results in immature behavior and an inability to control impulses.
Authoritative
The authoritative style of parenting is often seen as the best as discussed in many a Parenting Book. These parents are not predominantly firm or permissive. They will set high standards for their children but leave some of the decision-making up to each child. These parents reason with and listen to their children but don't hesitate to insist on certain behaviors and limits. This parenting approach works well with middle-of-the-road children who are neither introverted nor aggressive. It helps children develop a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
Many parents don't use one parenting style exclusively. But most do tend to lean toward one philosophy most. The style that is used to raise a child must take the child's personality into account. Foster Parenting has it's own unique set of challenges. What may work for one child might not be successful for another child with a different personality.
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