Every parent has their own way of parenting. They all may seem different, but every single one falls into one of three parenting styles. The three parenting styles are permissive, authoritarian and authoritative. Each style has its own characteristics which sets it apart from the others. When observing every parent’s individual style, it is easy to see that the style is one of the three basic ones.
“The permissive parent attempts to behave in a nonpunitive, acceptant and affirmative manner towards the child's impulses, desires, and actions. The parent consults with him the child about policy decisions and gives explanations for family rules. The parent makes few demands for household responsibility and orderly behavior.” (Baumrind, 1966) Permissive parents believe that in showing their child love, they will be loved, which is the ultimate goal of their parenting. Permissive parents tend to avoid conflict at any cost and discipline and/or limits are often missing from the household of permissive parents. The child qualities of children raised by permissive parents usually have poor emotion regulation, are defiant to challenges and are antisocial.
“The authoritarian parent attempts to shape, control, and evaluate the behavior and attitudes of the child in accordance with a set standard of conduct, usually an absolute standard, theologically motivated and formulated by a higher authority. She [the parent] values obedience as a virtue and favors punitive, forceful measures to curb self-will at points where the child's actions or beliefs conflict with what she thinks is right conduct. She believes in keeping the child in his place.” (Baumrind, 1966) Authoritarian parents believe in holding their children to a very high level of achievement. The desire for discipline is often so high that the relationship is low on affection and nurturing. Authoritarian parents love their child, but the child often does not see the love as unconditional. Many children,...