WEP Principles of Effective Parenting-The Relationship Between Parenting Style and Children's Behavior

ROBERT M. NEWELL, PH.D.

FORENSIC AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Specializing in Behavioral Healthcare for Children &

Adolescents, Families, Couples, and Adults.

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WHAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT

SOME BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE PARENTING

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING STYLE AND CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR

► CLICK HERE to go to The Four Styles of Parenting.

A parent’s style of discipline has an important impact on a child’s emotional and behavioral development. However, the impact of a respective parenting style is contingent upon a child’s temperament. In other words, the result of parenting style is due to an interaction between the parent’s behavior and the child’s behavior. For example, with a child who has a low-key and a generally compliant temperament, being a permissive parent may not result in any problems or concerns. However, if a permissive parent has a head-strong and aggressive child, it can be a recipe for disaster.

Research has shown that parenting style has been found to predict child well-being in the domains of social competence, academic performance, psychosocial development, and problem behavior. In general, parental support predicts social competence and psychosocial functioning, while parental control is associated with instrumental competence and behavioral control (i.e., academic performance and deviance).

Uninvolved Parent. Children and adolescents whose parents are uninvolved perform most poorly in all domains.

Permissive Parent. Children and adolescents from indulgent homes (high in Parent Support, low in Parent Control) are more likely to display behavior problems, and tend to perform less well in school. However, they display , but they have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and lower levels of depression.

Authoritarian Parent. Children and adolescents with Authoritarian parents (high in Parent Control, but low in Parent Support) tend to perform moderately well in school and display appropriate behavior. However, they tend to have poor social skills, low self-esteem, and high levels of depression. Most children of Authoritarian parents do not feel as if they had a close, warm relationship with their parents. Consequently, their parent is not someone they feel they can turn to for empathy and problem solving. Authoritarian parents value obedience and respect. They do not negotiate rules and chores. And they believe in a family hierarchy, with the dad usually at the top, mom next in line, and children last.

Authoritative Parent. Children and adolescents whose parents are Authoritative are more socially and instrumentally competent than those whose parents are authoritarian or permissive. An Authoritative parenting style is associated consistently with both instrumental and social competence and lower levels of problem behavior in both boys and girls at all developmental stages. The benefits of an Authoritative parenting style and the detrimental effects of an Uninvolved parenting style are evident as early as the preschool years and continue throughout adolescence and into early adulthood. Although specific differences can be found in the competence evidenced by each group, the largest differences are found between children whose parents are unengaged and their peers with more involved parents. Differences between children from authoritative homes and their peers are equally consistent, but somewhat smaller. Just as authoritative parents appear to be able to balance their conformity demands with their respect for their children’s individuality, so children from authoritative homes appear to be able to balance the claims of external conformity and achievement demands with their need for individuation and autonomy.

CONCLUSION

Parenting style has a strong influence on a child’s psychological development. Both Parent Support and Parent Control are important aspects of good parenting. Authoritative parenting, which balances clear, high parental demands with emotional responsiveness and recognition of child autonomy, is one of the most consistent predictors of competence in children from early childhood through adolescence.

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DR. ROBERT M. NEWELL

Telephone: 509-910-0329

Email: mail@drrobertnewell.com

Website: www.drrobertnewell.com