PARENTING STYLESPERMISSIVE, UNINVOLVED,

AUTHORITARIAN, AND AUTHORITATIVE

NATASHA WEST

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF PARENTS• During childhood, we are extremely impressionable to what we learn from our experiences. Parents are

the most powerful role models for their children, so what a child sees and how a child is raised effects them throughout their entire life.

AUTHORITARIAN PARENTING STYLE• Low in nurturance and communication, but high in control and maturity demands.

• The child will be obedient to the parents and follow given rules, but lack an understanding as to why these rules exist due to the parent(s) using a “because I said so” rationale. These parents lack inductive discipline.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS• Some effects can include low self-esteem, a lack of prosocial behaviour, and high amounts of stress.

Some have a higher chance of the child to bully others due to the aggressive nature of upbringing others tend to be more subdued. (Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015)

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS• Stress acts on the hippocampus, directly effecting emotion and memory (J.D. Brenner, 1999).

• Stress also disrupts brain development, and can compromise the nervous and immune systems (Middlebrooks & Audage, 2008).

• Abuse has been associated with an increased rick of physical disease and mental disorders (McCain & Mustard, 1999).

AUTHORITATIVE PARENTING STYLE• High in nurturance, maturity demands, control, and communication.

• The child will understand and obey rules, as well as have a positive relationship with the parents.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS• Children are more confident and comfortable when trying new things and learning new concepts due to

high independence (Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015). They are encouraged to use the best of their ability while receiving supportive praise.

• Children raised with this parenting style have more self-confidence and perform higher academically.(Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015)

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS• Experience significantly less stress caused directly by the parent-child relationship compared to other

parenting styles, promoting healthy physical development without falter.

UNINVOLVED PARENTING STYLE• Low in nurturance, maturity demands, control, and communication.

• A neglectful parenting style. The child has little to no rules to follow nor proper affection/attention to thrive.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS• As a result, the child shows antisocial behaviour, poor social competence, low self-esteem, and a lack of

impulse control. (Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015)

• Extreme neglect results in tremendously impaired language, social, and overall communication skills.(Spratt et al, 2012)

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTSSimilar issues to children of authoritarian parents: Heightened stress levels causing impaired brain development (J.D. Bremner, 1999), impairment of certain bodily systems (Middlebrooks & Audage, 2008), and damage to the hippocampus resulting in negative effects on emotion and memory (J.D. Bremner, 1999).

Parents may leave physical injuries untreated, resulting in infections, pain, etc.

Malnourishment leading to nutritional deficiency illnesses.

Below average brain and body development affecting ability to reach expected developmental milestones.

PERMISSIVE PARENTING STYLE• High in nurturance and communication, but low in control and maturity demands.

• The child lacks discipline, holds poor academic performance, immaturity, and is less independent and avoids responsibility (Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015).

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS• The child is likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour if the

parent is permissive to the behaviour (Boyd, Johnson & Bee, 2015).

• Children do not lead a healthy lifestyle due to a lack of rules set by the parents.

"An infallible way to make your child miserable is to satisfy all his demands." Henry Home

BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS• No direct effects, but higher stress levels are likely due to poor academic performance/disorganization.

NON-BIOLOGICAL GUARDIANS• Children raised by guardians that are not biological parents (adoptive parents, grandparents, etc.) are

not affected directly through the guardian’s parenting style. These parenting styles transfer through all individuals raising children.

• While this is true, external issues associated with other guardians may effect the child. An example of this may be exhaustion and caregiver burden in older guardians such as grandparents.

USING MORE THAN ONE PARENTING STYLE• Using more than on parenting style means inconsistently praising and punishing behaviour, if doing

either at all.

• Consistency is key when raising children. When children are raised using more than one parenting style, or inconsistently, they are more likely to feel insecure, anxious, confused, self-conscious, and have negative values (University of Alabama, 2015).

APPLICATION TO PERSONAL LIFEMy mother has raised me and my brother on her own since we were very young. My mother has overcome the stereotypes of being a single parent and has been consistent in using an authoritative parenting style. I believe that this parenting style has shaped us to be the goal-oriented, happy, and healthy-minded people we are today.

APPLICATION TO FUTURE CAREER• The parents’ role in a child’s life determines a significant amount of who an individual becomes. In my

career as a social worker, I will need to understand that the situation an individual is in or the beliefs and values they hold could be a result of how they have been raised.

BIBLIOGRAPHYSpratt et al. (2012). The Effects of Early Neglect on Cognitive, Language, and Behavioral Functioning in Childhood. Psychology PSYCH, 175-182.

Boyd, D., Bee, H., & Johnson, P. (2015). Lifespan Development (Fifth ed.). Toronto, Ontario: Pearson.

McCain, M.N. & Mustard, J.F. (1999). Reversing the Real Brain Drain: Early Years Study.

Middlebrooks, J., & Audage, N. (2008). The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan. Retrieved November 2, 2015.

Bremner, J.D. (1999). The Lasting Effects of Psychological Trauma on Memory and the Hippocampus. Retrieved November 2, 2015.

University of Alabama (2015). Consistency: An Essential Ingredient. Retrieved from http://www.pal.ua.edu/discipline/consistency.php