FAMILY DYNAMICS: The Impact of Parenting Styles

Published on 15 January 2024 at 11:53

Parents play a critical role in how their children interact with the world. A child's first love and best friend are his or her parents. A child's family dynamics often determine whether he or she is exposed to a positive or negative environment for the first time. In the absence of healthy family patterns, teenagers and young adults may seek validation and identity from external sources and may display disruptive behavior as a result of unmet expectations. This may result in feelings of fear, hopelessness, anger, confusion, stress, loneliness, depression, and disruptive behaviors to name a few. 

The way they are parented, the type of parenting style they are exposed to, and the environment they grow up in will all have a lasting impact on their development. As parents, it can be difficult to guide their children. This can result in helplessness, stress, and depression for many parents. However, it is important to remember that the most important thing is to show love and provide a safe and supportive environment. Showing patience and understanding can go a long way in helping children grow and develop into successful adults. Through example, children can learn life-long lessons in resilience, confidence, and responsibility.

In an effort to empower parents, let's first identify the four types of parenting: Authoritarian (strict), Authoritative (balanced), Permissive (indulgent), and Uninvolved (hands-off).

Authoritarian (strict) - Parents establish strict rules but do not explain punishment in a way that the child can understand. Children raised in this manner tend to have low self-esteem and rebellious behaviors.  

Authoritative (balanced) – Parents are nurturing, responsive, and supportive. Retraining is the primary objective of discipline rather than punishment. This type of parenting tends to produce children ware more kind, independent, self-controlling, curious, and goal oriented.

Permissive (lenient) – Parents are nurturing and supportive but impose few boundaries. The result of these low expectations is generally a friendship between a parent and a child. These parenting styles tend to raise aggressive, impulsive, and rebellious children who lack self-confidence and self-control.

Uninvolved (hands-off) – Parents provide basic needs for the child but are emotionally with limited communication with the child. Freedom to this degree can lead to negative habits that result in low self-esteem, impulsivity, and selfishness which also interferes with maintaining or nurturing relationships.

Can you describe your parenting style?

When faced with parenting challenges, how do you discipline, encourage, and communicate?

 

Disclaimer: The information presented here does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 988.

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