Are you a new parent wondering what parenting style is best? Or are you thinking if you are parenting your child the right way?  If the answer to either of your question is affirmative, then you are in the right place. This post will help you explore different styles and which one is the best parenting style.

Being a parent, you wish to give your children the best values, nurturing, emotional stability, warmth, love, and discipline. However, sometimes things do not work out as you plan, no matter how hard you try.

One of the main reasons is the parenting style. Many research studies suggest that some parenting methods are more useful than others for children as well as parents. So first, let us look at what parenting is and the various types of styles that exist. 

What is Parenting Style?

A parenting style means how you project your love, warmth, authority, rules, and discipline towards your children. Most parents make two of the classic mistakes; first, they intentionally or unintentionally raise their children with a mixture of several parenting styles.

Secondly, many families face another issue that is a clash in parenting style. For example, one parent tries to bring some discipline to children's lives, and the other end up spoiling them.

However, both approaches can send mixed messages to the children and may have unproductive or negative effects on their emotional and behavioral psychology.

Having two different parenting styles in a family is not a bad thing, though. If you or your partner is too keen on the disciplinary side, the other can use a less stringent approach to reassure the kids. However, both of you must ensure not to undermine each other, especially in front of the kids.

This may cause a rift between the children and the parents, and at times they may develop behavior such as anger, anxiety, depression, etc.

Therefore, let us find out what each parenting style is, and then you will be in a better position to decide for yourself, i.e., which parenting style is best for your children. 

4 Types of Parenting Styles

Diane Baumrind defined four types of parenting styles in 1960, which are as follows.

 1. Authoritarian Parenting

As an authoritarian parent, you demand high from your children, such as unquestioned obedience with low responsiveness, i.e., warmth or affection. You do not like to reason, and any attempt from the children to discuss your decision is an act of disobedience.

You demand absolute discipline, and any act of defiance from the children may result in harsh punishment.

However, children living under authoritarian parents are mostly unhappy, insecure, have low self-confidence, and have low self-esteem. Moreover, they are more prone to mental health issues and may develop behavioral problems. 

2. Permissive Parenting  

This parenting style is also known as indulgent parenting, which means that as a parent, you demand very low from your children and show extreme care, warmth, love, and affection. Chances are you may set a few boundaries and rules in your household or maybe give a free-hand to your children completely.

You avoid being forceful because you believe this kind of parenting to be destructive or traumatic for the kids and will hate to see them frightened of you. Moreover, you are too scared to disappoint your children.

However, even this kind of parenting style comes with its own plethora of mental and behavioral issues for your children.

For example, your children may develop a habit of defying or not following general life rules. Besides, they can develop egocentric behavior with no self-control, or at worst, they may lose respect for you and see you as a pushover. 

3. Uninvolved Parenting

Another name for this parenting style is neglectful parenting. You demand almost nothing from your children and display low to none parental responsibilities to nurture your children physically, emotionally, or psychologically.

Most uninvolved parents may suffer from mental health issues such as depression. They may even have a history of child neglect from their parents and/or physical abuse. Children raised with this parenting style will be more impulsive with emotional and behavioral issues.

Moreover, they may develop delinquencies and addictions and even have mental health issues. 

4. Authoritative Parenting

As an authoritative parent, you will have high expectations from your children both mentally and intellectually. However, you will also display more responsiveness in nurturing them with love, affection, and warmth and making them emotionally stronger.

You enforce certain ground rules and encourage your children to have open discussions about their problems. You are a parent who likes to reason with the children and offer them guidance in a productive and constructive manner.

You explain the pros and cons of each action to your kids and allow them to develop a sense of awareness and responsibility. Moreover, you are keen to teach them values and morals to lead a happy, healthy, and balanced life.

According to research, children brought up with an authoritative parenting style have high self-esteem. They tend to be emotionally stronger and lead a happier life than those raised under authoritarian or permissive parents.

Furthermore, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) believes that children with authoritative parents are less likely to develop certain behavioral issues such as addiction, substance abuse, unhealthy sexual behavior, etc. 

Why Learning the Best Parenting Style is Important

Understanding different parenting styles is vital for raising children effectively. Each parenting style has its unique characteristics and impacts on a child's behavior. The four main parenting styles are authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, permissive parenting, and neglectful parenting.

Authoritative parents tend to strike a balance between setting rules and allowing independence. They encourage open communication and provide reasons for the rules they set. Many studies suggest that children raised by authoritative parents generally perform well in school, have good social skills, and exhibit a high level of self-confidence.

On the other hand, authoritarian parents enforce strict rules and demand unquestioned obedience. Children raised by an authoritarian parent may be obedient and proficient but might also develop self-esteem issues due to the lack of freedom and harsh punishments.

Permissive parents, meanwhile, set few rules and mostly let their children do what they want. This permissive parenting style can lead to kids raised with poor self-control, becoming egocentric, and having difficulties following rules.

Finally, neglectful parents are uninvolved and insensitive to their children's needs. Unfortunately, children raised under this parenting style often struggle with self-esteem issues, perform poorly in school, and have a higher risk of substance abuse.

Key points to consider in parenting styles include:

• Authoritarian Parenting Style: Encourages independence while maintaining high expectations. This approach is associated with the most positive child outcomes.
• Authoritarian Parenting: Strict and demanding, this style can lead to obedient but less happy children.
• Permissive Parenting: Lax and lenient, this style can result in children with poor self-control.
• Neglectful Parenting: Lack of involvement can lead to children struggling with various issues.

Understanding the impact of different parenting styles can guide your parenting practices to ensure the best outcome for your child. While the authoritative parenting style is often seen as the most effective, it's essential to remember that every child is unique, and what works best may vary depending on your child's needs and personality. 

Conclusion - What Parenting Style Is Best?

After reading all of the above parenting styles, you must know that being an authoritative parent is the best way to bring up your children. If you wish to love them while inducing strong moral, ethical, emotional, and behavioral values in them, then authoritative parenting is the way forward.

According to Baumrind's research, if you are an authoritative parent, your children will be more content and happy. They will be more independent when they grow up and perform well academically.

Talking to your kids and building their reasoning and communication skills will develop their social skills. According to studies, children with authoritative parents tend to have better mental health. Your children will less likely develop depression, anxiety, criminal behavior, or drug abuse problems.

Therefore, authoritative parenting is the best parenting style to help create the right nurturing environment by offering them the right balance of discipline and warmth.