Baumrind's Theory Of Parenting Styles

It is clear that children are greatly influenced by numerous things in their lives today. The main influences are the family particularly the parents and in some cases peer groups. Their attachment, parenting styles, behaviour and modelling rub off their children on a daily basis. Particularly the different styles of parenting such as permissive have different influences on children’s social and emotional development. The attachment the parent has with their child and how responsive they are tends to show how open children are to new relationships. If the child feels they have a secure base with their caregiver and feel a close sense of attachment they are more positive and open minded when entering into both intimate and ongoing relationships.

This appeared to me to be Baumrind’s theory of parenting styles. Parenting styles represent the different approaches parents may use to raise their children. Depending on their culture and social backgrounds different styles may be adapted. It in fact sets the tone for parent’s interactions with their children and may be affected by their own parents, education, temperament and culture. Parenting styles may be either responsive or controlling and contain four key areas: Authoritarian, Authoritative, Permissive and Uninvolved. (Joseph & John, 2008) Although all of these styles important the two I feel most important to the social and emotional development of the child are Authoritative and Uninvolved. Authoritative parents related to an “energetic-friendly child”. (Parke & Gauvain, 2009) This child showed positive social and emotional development and was a child which could be described as self-controlled, shows interest and copes well with stress. This is due to a parenting style which is warm, shows moderate restrictiveness and gave children considerable freedom. They did however impose restrictions but were also responsive to their children’s needs. It has showed positive results in areas such as popularity with peers and self-esteem for children. It is in complete contrast to uninvolved parenting who can be referred to as the neglected child. This can be due to self-centred parents, who are unresponsive and are more centred towards own needs rather than needs of the child. They don’t tend to know the whereabouts of their children or peer group. This results in a child which has a moody or aggressive temperament and lack skills for social and academic pursuits. (Parke & Gauvain, 2009). This type of parenting has a negative impact on the well-being and emotional development of the child. It may lead to