Paper Example on Parenting Styles and their Impact on Developmental Process

Introduction

A parenting style is a manner in which parents rear their children. Every parent has a way of disciplining his/her child. In connection, parenting styles have a significant impact on a child's developmental process. Primarily, there are three types of parenting styles; authoritarian, permissive and authoritative parenting styles (Milevsky et al., 2007). In every homestead, one of the parenting styles applies, and children respond differently to each parenting style. Parents chose a style that suits their children. The three parenting styles are different from each other, and each has its consequences in the child's development.

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The authoritarian style involves parents who display little warmth to the children and are very controlling. The parents are very strict, restrictive and often use punishments rather than discipline (Milevsky et al., 2007). Authoritarian parents do not involve their children in decision making. An authoritarian parent may force a child to take a course that the child does not like without considering the child's opinion. On the other hand, permissive parents are undemanding and warm. They give their children wishes and do not want to disappoint the children. Therefore, the children make important decisions without the parents' engagement. Permissive parents do not discourage poor choices and bad behavior. Indeed, kids who grow up with permissive parents are likely to get health issues like obesity because their parents do not limit their eating habits.In contrary, authoritative parents display warmth but firm. The parents use positive strategies while disciplining their children to reinforce positive behavior, like, use of rewards and praise. Children's opinions are considered, and parents offer discussion sessions to listen to the child's viewpoint. Authoritative parents use reasoning and discipline as critical guidelines in nurturing their kids (Turner et al., 2009). My parents used the authoritative parenting style in our household. Children who grow up under authoritative parents become independent and have high self-esteem because their opinions are valued. The kids are responsible and make the right decisions. The engagement of children in decision making encourages critical thinking and independent problem-solving. Therefore, the authoritative parenting style has a tremendous positive impact on a child's developmental process.

References

Milevsky, A., Schlechter, M., Netter, S., & Keehn, D. (2007). Maternal and paternal parenting styles in adolescents: Associations with self-esteem, depression and life-satisfaction. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16(1), 39-47.
Turner, E. A., Chandler, M., & Heffer, R. W. (2009). The influence of parenting styles, achievement motivation, and self-efficacy on academic performance in college students. Journal of college student development, 50(3), 337-346.