Authoritative vs. permissive parenting: How it impacts your child's temper

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In this feature, we help you to understand how the style of parenting impacts your kids. The way you parent can have a profound impact on various aspects of your child's life, including their self-esteem, physical well-being and interpersonal skills.

It is crucial to ensure that your parenting approach fosters healthy growth and development because the manner in which you engage with your child and enforce discipline will shape their entire existence.

Did you know? There are four types of parenting styles:

Authoritarian Parenting: Considering your child's feelings is not a priority for you, which indicates that you may exhibit authoritarian parenting tendencies. Authoritarian parents firmly advocate for unwavering compliance from their children. They are known for responding with because I said so whenever a child questions the reasoning behind a particular rule. Their approach does not involve negotiation, as they prioritise obedience above all else.

Additionally, they discourage children from engaging in problem-solving challenges or overcoming obstacles by themselves. Instead, they establish rules and enforce consequences without much consideration for their child's viewpoint. Punishments take precedence over discipline in the parenting style of authoritarians.

Instead of guiding children towards making better choices, these parents prioritise inducing feelings of regret for their mistakes. As a result, children who grow up under the influence of strict authoritarian parents tend to abide by rules most of the time. However, this obedience comes at a price.

Children raised by authoritarian parents face an increased likelihood of encountering self-esteem challenges due to the devaluation of their viewpoints.

Authoritative parenting: Here, the parents tend to dedicate time and effort to prevent behavioural issues proactively. They employ positive disciplinary strategies such as praise and rewards to reinforce positive behaviours.

According to studies, children with authoritative parents are more likely to grow into responsible adults who are confident in advocating for themselves and expressing their thoughts and emotions.

Permissive parenting: Parents who are permissive tend to be lenient and only intervene when there is a serious issue. They are forgiving and have the mindset that children will be children. When they do enforce consequences, they may not enforce them strictly. They might return privileges if a child pleads or allow a child to end time-out early if they promise to behave.

Permissive parents typically assume more of a friendship role rather than a parental role. They often encourage their children to communicate with them about their problems, but they generally do not put much effort into discouraging poor choices or negative behaviour. Growing up with permissive parents can have detrimental effects on children's academic performance.

Their disregard for authority and rules often leads to behavioural difficulties and a diminished sense of self-esteem, causing them to experience sadness.

Uninvolved parenting: In this style of grooming kids, parents who show little interest in their children's lives tend to be uninformed about their activities. The household environment usually lacks strict rules, leading to a deficiency of guidance, nurturing and parental attention towards the children.

Uninvolved parents expect their children to fend for themselves without devoting much time or energy to fulfilling their basic needs. While not always intentional, this neglectful behaviour can arise from parents' mental health issues or substance abuse problems that hinder the consistent provision of physical and emotional care for the child.

In certain instances, parents who are not actively engaged may lack awareness regarding child development or hold the misconception that their child will fare better without their supervision. Consequently, children with uninvolved parents frequently encounter challenges related to self-esteem concerns, academic struggles, recurrent behavioural problems and diminished levels of happiness.

The last word: While various studies suggest that authoritative parenting is the optimal style, it is possible for those who resonate with other parenting styles to transition toward becoming more authoritative parents. By embracing the commitment and determination required to be an exceptional parent, one can establish a positive rapport with their child.

(Dr. Prashant Moralwar, Consultant Pediatrician, Motherhood Hospital Kharghar)