Why Are Parenting Styles Important In The Child's Development?

Parenting Styles and Child Development

During the initial years of a child's life, the parenting style has a direct impact. As the child grows, the style of the parents affects social functioning, interactions with others, the control the child has over their actions, their choices, morals and academic success. 

Children require the correct amount of discipline, support, warmth and responsiveness. When the behavior of the parents is incorrect, the child often faces many different adjustment issues. If the child does not feel safe and secure within the home, they may rebel, act out, refuse to listen and have difficulties in school. 

What are Some of the Styles for Parents?

Parenting styles include:

Authoritarian: This type of parent believes the child should be seen as opposed to heard. All rules are inflexible and must be followed with no exceptions. The child's feelings are not considered. 

Authoritative: These parents create and maintain a good relationship with the child. The reasons and consequences of the rules are explained. The child's opinions and feelings are taken into consideration. 

Permissive: Rules are set by these parents, but enforced rarely. Most of the child's actions do not have any consequences. The parents do not believe any interference is necessary for the child to learn. When there are consequences, the child often gets around them easily. 

Uninvolved: The parents do not ask about the child's homework or school. They are often unaware of who the child is with or where they are. These parents spend very little time with the child, and remain unaware of their interests and actions. There are few rules and, the child does not receive much attention, nurturing or guidance. 

What is the Most Effective Style?

The most effective style is authoritative style. According to studies, children with a close relationship with their parents including mutual understanding are the most successful as adults. This is because Authoritative parents offer their children love, respect and a warm environment. The feelings of the child are validated, but the child also knows the parents are in charge. 

This type of parent is willing to use their energy and time to prevent any behavioral issues from starting. Positive discipline is used to encourage good behavior such as praising the child or creating a reward system. Research has shown when a child has authoritative parents, there is a much better chance the child will express their opinions naturally and comfortably and grow to be a responsible adult.

When a child receives authoritative discipline, they are usually successful and happy as adults. They can make good decisions because they understand the importance of safety for their well-being. The adult will have the proper emotional, intellectual, social and moral growth. The child views their parents as fair and reasonable. For this reason, the child will listen to the parents and follow their requests. 

The child learns the lessons the parents are trying to teach because the parents take the time to explain the rules. The child does not follow the rules to avoid punishment. The child understands the rules, finds them acceptable and fair and learns the difference between right and wrong.  

Why are Good Parents so Important?

The role of the parents is more important for the success of the child than the school they attend. When parents help the child with their homework, the child learns the importance of education and looks forward to going to school and participating in school activities and events. The best teachers are the parents. Children learn manners, morals, values and discipline from their parents. 

Children who become successful adults learn the basics from their upbringing. Parents have the ability to teach the child morality while offering inspiration. Children will learn and imitate what they see at home. Whether good or bad, these lessons are never forgotten. When parents teach the child the right value, the future and success of the child are directly impacted. 

If the parents do not teach the child that stealing is wrong and why, the child may grow up without the proper values and break the law. A child receiving praise for completing their homework, encouraged to read, and taught the importance of meetings between their parents and teachers will most likely grow up to be a well-adjusted adult. The actions of the parents help define the person the child will become. 

How Does Parenting Affect the Child's Behavior?

The way the parents react to stress defines the child's reaction. If the parents lash out, yell and throw things, the child can become intimidated and scared. The child may believe they are to blame and shut down. The discipline received is a critical aspect of the way the child behaves. When the child receives physical punishments including spankings, their reaction may be aggression. The child will not learn. 

Alternate punishments like a time-out are a calm way to teach the child why their behavior was wrong. In this instance, the child will learn. Physical or verbal fights between parents can traumatize the child for years or result in violence. When the parents discuss any issues calmly and reasonably, this is what the child will learn. Children will repeat what they have learned in their own homes as adults. 

Antisocial tendencies are the direct result of overly critical, negative and manipulative parents. Parents who talk to their children, try to understand how they are feeling and place importance on their opinions ensure their child feels loved, safe and instill the right morals. These children will establish healthy relationships with others and live happier lives. 

Conclusion

Parents are critical for the development of the child. The parents have the responsibility of teaching children the value of morals, education and social responsibility. Different styles have been directly linked to the outcome of the child. Authoritative parents raise self-competent children with a lot of self-confidence and self-esteem. 

The behavior of the child is based on numerous factors including the way they are treated at home, their culture, perception of the world, education and taking responsibility for their actions.