Question

Which parenting style describes how you were raised? Provide an example or two to support your answer.

Short answer

The answer will be unique for each individual, depending on their personal upbringing. The answer should identify the dominant parenting style during their upbringing and provide one or two specific personal examples that support this identification.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Parenting Styles

There are four primary parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Briefly, authoritative parenting is both demanding and responsive. Authoritarian parenting is demanding, but not responsive. Permissive parenting is responsive but not demanding. Uninvolved parenting is neither demanding nor responsive. Understand the definitions and characteristics of each parenting style.

Reflect on your Upbringing

Think about your childhood. Reflect on the way your parents acted towards you most of the time. Consider the rules, the communication style, the expectations, the emotional warmth, and the discipline methods. As well your parents' attitude towards you: were they responsive to your needs? Did they have high expectations of your behavior?

Identify the Parenting Style

Based on your reflection in step 2, identify which parenting style best matches your upbringing. Remember, you are looking for the dominant style even if the others can also apply occasionally.

Find Examples

Find one or two specific examples from your personal experiences that vividly represent the identified parenting style. These examples should be instances where the identified parenting style was clearly exhibited by your parents.

Write down your Answer

Write down your reflection, identifying the parenting style that describes your upbringing and providing one or two examples to support your conclusion. Make your examples as specific as possible for clarity.

Key concepts

authoritative parenting

Authoritative parenting is widely recognized as one of the most effective and balanced parenting styles. It is characterized by a healthy blend of being demanding while also being responsive to a child's needs.

This means that authoritative parents set clear expectations and consistent rules but are also supportive and open to communication. They focus on guiding their children, helping them understand the reasons behind rules through discussions.

With authoritative parenting, children often feel respected and valued as they are encouraged to express their own opinions. This nurturing environment fosters independence and self-regulation.

• Expectations are high, but so is emotional support.
• Open communication is encouraged.
• Discipline is fair and consistent, aimed at teaching rather than punishing.

Overall, children raised under authoritative parenting tend to develop strong social skills and emotional intelligence.

authoritarian parenting

In contrast to the supportive nature of authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting is more about strict obedience and control. Authoritarian parents enforce rules without much room for open dialogue or flexibility.

These parents have high expectations and rigid standards. Disobedience is not tolerated, and punishment is often used to enforce rules.

While this style ensures obedience, it can sometimes lead to children feeling restricted and undervalued. The lack of emotional warmth and open communication might hinder the child's emotional development.

• High demand for compliance without discussion.
• Punishments are often strict and immediate.
• Limited warmth and nurturing.

Children raised in authoritarian settings may become proficient at following rules but often struggle with self-expression and independence.

permissive parenting

Permissive parenting takes a completely different approach, focusing on responsiveness over demands. Permissive parents are warm, nurturing, and lenient.

Unlike their authoritarian counterparts, permissive parents set very few rules and boundaries. They believe in allowing the child to express themselves freely and make their own decisions.

While this freedom can promote creativity, it can also lead to issues with self-discipline, as children might not learn boundaries and limits.

• High responsiveness and warmth.
• Low demands and minimal discipline.
• Children often have the freedom to set their own rules.

Permissive parenting might result in children who are sociable and creative but often lack the self-discipline necessary for academic and social success.

uninvolved parenting

Uninvolved parenting is characterized by a lack of responsiveness to a child's needs as well as low demands. This parenting style often results in minimal communication and interaction between parents and children.

Uninvolved parents may provide basic needs like food and shelter, but are generally detached from their child's life. This can occur due to various reasons including stress, mental health issues, or personal beliefs.

The lack of guidance and support can leave children feeling neglected, which may result in difficulties forming emotional attachments or building self-esteem.

• Neither demanding nor responsive.
• Minimal involvement in the child’s life.
• Children often feel neglected and unsupported.

Children raised with uninvolved parents might develop independence early, but often lack self-confidence and the ability to trust others.