Middle Ground Parenting

Every way that a parent goes about raising their child will have a unique result. Written by Bianca Mgbemere and Rachel Telles, “Types of Parenting Styles and How to Identify Yours” is an article outlining different approaches to parenting and the outcomes each of these approaches has. Each of these major parenting styles are classified by the “different reactions” that the “children which they are used on” harbor (Telles & Mgbemere 1). Telles and Mgbemere expand on four types of parenting styles: neglectful, permissive, authoritative, and authoritarian. Estep, Hanna, et al. utilize these same parenting styles in their study outlined in the report “THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTING STYLES, GENERAL DEVIANCE, ACADEMIC DISHONESTY, AND INFIDELITY”.

Authoritative parenting often hold high expectations for their child, but manage their expectations with understanding and support for their child. They tend to encourage independence upon their child, and teach with nurturing and reason. Parents who use this type of parenting also rely on open communication with their child, which then implies a deeper understands. Results of having an authoritative figure is a child may develop self-responsibility, and high communication skills. Children also develop a sense of identity, and

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) argue further that ineffective parenting is the reason why youngsters fail to develop self-control. Gottfredson and Hirschi are clear in their definition as to what constitutes ineffective parenting. According to (James D. Unnever) Ineffective parenting has three component, “Monitoring or tracking the child’s behavior, Recognition of deviant behavior when it occurs, and Consistent and proportionate punishment for the deviant behavior when it is

Parenting Styles Based on the work of Diana Baumrind (1991), a developmental psychologist, Parenting Styles are commonly used in psychology today. Baumrind identified three initial parts of parenting styles: authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting and permissive parenting style. Parenting Styles have a two-dimensional framework expanded by Maccoby and Martin (1983). The two dimensional parenting behavior are demandingness and responsiveness. Parenting styles are important, as it determines largely the kind of environment a child is raised in.

According to Strage (2000), authoritative parenting incorporates with high standards for achievement such as demandingness provide emotional support and encouraging independence in the adolescent. Authoritarian parents try to shape, control, and jugged the behavior of the children’s and they usually followed an absolute standard. They also used punishing and forceful measures when the child’s views conflicted with parents. The permissive parenting style matches to the behaviors of affection and responsiveness with the child, without any restrictions for appropriate behavior. Mandara and Murray (2002) used the approach of Baumrind and they want to study the association between parental rearing, psychopathology, and competence in childhood and in adolescence.

Behavior, and their way of thought, which can be crucial to the child himself. Not only does a parent’s actions influence their child, but a certain environment can assist in shaping the child’s character. A negative environment, such as the enforcement of child abuse, can allow the child to have a higher risk of experiencing depression than those

He proposed different theories about parents and their kind of authority over their children. These include: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive parenting. Authoritative can be described as a strict parent, one that is very controlling, yet supportive, and they increase verbal communication between themselves and the child. Authoritarian parenting is very similar—they express much control, however, they discourage the amount of verbal communication and preach more about obedience. Lastly, permissive parents are the complete opposite and take no responsibility when it comes to influencing and shaping their children’s behaviors.

Children that exhibit such behaviours are most likely to become teenagers who are severely affected by problems associated with aggression, substance abuse, and mental health issues. In their adulthood, the situation

Tough states, "when parents behave harshly the children are less likely over time to develop the ability to manage strong emotions and respond effectively to stressful

Parents in non-maltreating families show more positive interactions between the parent and child, and mothers use more positive discipline approaches (e.g., reasoning, cooperation, approval). They have a warm and close relationship with the child as well as their partner, and help the child to gain a sense of mastery and competency in some area. They take advantage of positive behaviors by reinforcing and praising them; they have fewer aversive interactions with child, and are able to quickly end them. They provide structure for the child, give clear and simple instructions, and appear relaxed. They are able to soothe the child’s distress and distract them at times from potential conflicts by refocusing their attention on other activities.

 Anger and aggression are highly noxious agents in a family environment. Conditions ranging from living with irritable and quarreling parents to being exposed to violence and abuse at home show associations with mental and physical health problems in childhood, with lasting effects in the adult years.” In other words, not giving you child attention and exposing them to dangerous environments can cause them to act out, turn to substance abuse, and reflect the abuse they have

According to Cherlin, “The authoritative parent combines high levels of emotional support with consistent, moderate control of their children” (p. 275). This style is different than the authoritarian or helicopter style as it does not involve control, but instead explained discipline. Leslie Kendall Dye exhibits this style when she defends herself after being scolded for being a permissive parent “I have no tolerance for rudeness, for whining, for unwarranted aggression. I talk to my child frequently about empathy and manners. She has chores each morning and evening, and I ferociously police the number of toys in our house” (par. 9).

Madison James Authoritative parenting is the parenting style that my parents used when I was growing up. Growing up with this parenting style I have become independent and self reliant. Some characteristics of authoritative parents include: listening to their child, letting their child express their opinion, encouraging their children, giving them fair and reasonable consequences, giving their child the opportunity to express their reasoning, having expectations for their children, and most of all showing warmth and nurture to their child. Both my mom and dad have always listened to me and never ignored me. No matter what they have always listened to everything I've ever had to say.

Parenting Philosophy Family of Origin Parenting has never been easy, and as any parent will admit, it is a very exhausting job. At the same time, parents often claim that it gives the greatest rewards in life. Good parenting is often thought that parents must be involved in the minutiae of their kids’ lives in order to be successful. However, the main goal of parenting is to produce worthy citizens who contribute to their fellow human beings, and it must be up to the individual parent(s) to decide what looks like. Growing up, my parents were very strict, but very fair and compassionate as well.

Better Personalities Obtained From Free-Range Parenting Approach The free-range parenting approach effectively paves a way for children to build up better personalities than the helicopter parenting approach, because children will learn to become independent, take control of feelings and develop curiosity under absolute freedom. Although people may argue that it is dangerous to let children play without supervision, the statistic data proves that it is actually safer for children. First of all, children will learn to manage their time wisely without parents’ guidance. Take me as an example, my mother sent me to Singapore to study aboard alone for the whole summer when I was eleven.