Baumrind’s Three Patterns of Parenting

Diana Baumrind “states that parents should be neither punitive nor aloof. Rather they should develop rules for children while at the same time being supporting and nurturing”. Baumrind defines four parenting styles, which are commonly put into practice.
The first of the parenting styles is authoritarian parenting. Authoritarian parenting is highly restrictive and uses firm controls and little verbal communication. When a parent uses this style it causes many negative aspects among children. Children raised in this order have very limited social interaction and very poor communication skills. When a child is raised in this way he or she may be pushed academically but benefit very little socially. This type of parenting is common among cultures of Asian descent and other minorities. As growing up in a asian family, my parents were very strict on education and we were not allowed to hang out with friends. As raising my son, my ex-wife and I chose not to follow that regiment of study and no play rule. The second parenting style is authoritative parenting, which Baumrind strongly supports. This parenting style is a happy medium in which independence is given to the child but some limitations are put into place. Children parented in this manner are more socially capable, self-reliant, and have a high degree of self-esteem. On the other end of the spectrum, neglectful parenting is also commonly used. This parenting type is classified when parents are completely removed or uninvolved from their children’s lives. Children raised in this way are incompetent socially and experience problems with independence and self-control. Children raised in a neglectful setting are not motivated by achievement so academically they may suffer. Indulgent parenting is the final type of parenting, in which parents are extremely involved in a child’s life but few limitations are set into place. Due to very little limitation and great amounts of parental involvement a child is more apt to be creative and independent but suffers socially and lacks the ability to maintain self-control.
The types of parenting commonly used, influence students greatly in both positive and negative ways. Each parenting style has its drawbacks however a happy balance of involvement and control leads to a child that is socially competent and well-rounded.