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Authoritarian parenting -

As the title indicates, in this parenting style children must adhere to strict rules set out by the parent, resulting in punishment if not followed.

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Rules go unexplained -

The authoritarian style of parenting means parents usually don't take time to explain the meaning behind the rules that they've instated and will give reasons to children like “because I said so.”

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Unresponsive with high demands for children -

The authoritarian parent is usually not very responsive to their children and has high demands of them. They expect and attempt to enforce exemplary behavior from the child, giving little direction as to what that means.

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Unhappier children -

The children of authoritarian parents tend to follow the rules very strictly, which in some cases comes at a price. The children of these parents tend to rank lower in happiness.

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It affects self-esteem -

As can be easily imagined, a child who grows up with an authoritarian parent(s) runs the risk of developing self-esteem issues, feeling like their opinions aren’t valid because they weren’t valued in their formative years.

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Authoritative parenting -

Similar to authoritarian parenting, authoritative parenting also is mainly defined by a style of parenting that includes a lot of rules that children must follow. However, it’s not as strict and is a little more democratic.

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Healthy communication -

With this parenting style, the difference is that parents monitor their children’s behavior and communicate clear standards to them.

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Feedback, warmth, and support -

Much like the authoritarian style of parenting, the authoritative kind of parent also expects a lot from a child regarding their behavior and performance at school. Still, they provide clear feedback, warmth, and support.

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It's not all punishment -

The authoritative parent is willing to listen to a child’s questions. They are more nurturing and forgiving when a child does wrong, as opposed to punishing them.

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Other features of authoritative parenting -

This style of parenting is assertive and not intrusive or restrictive. These parents are not punitive. They expect their children to be responsible, cooperative, and self-regulated.

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The results of authoritative parenting -

Research has found that children who grow up with authoritative parents are most likely to grow up to be socially responsible and confident in the validity of their opinions.

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It's proven to be the best for children -

In fact, of all of the parenting styles, this parenting style is most likely to result in happy, capable, and successful adults.

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Permissive parenting -

Permissive parents can be best understood as indulging in their children’s demands. They will typically go to great lengths to give the child what they need and have low expectations regarding maturity and self-control.

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Very lenient -

Permissive parenting is a style of parenting that is non-traditional in that it is not demanding, and instead is very lenient.

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Avoiding confrontation -

The permissive parent will avoid confrontation with the child, and is generally quite nurturing and communicative.

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Friend instead of parent -

This parenting style tends to take on the role of a friend to the child rather than one that is typically associated with being a parent.

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Children can lack discipline -

Children who grow up with this parenting style are much more likely to struggle academically and lack discipline.

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Children of permissive parents may lack respect -

Because these children don’t see rules enforced very strictly in their formative years, they tend to not respect authority or regulations when they grow up.

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Higher risk of physical health issues -

Children of permissive parents also risk developing physical health issues like obesity and dental hygiene problems because they can lack the discipline to limit their junk food intake.

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Uninvolved parenting -

Uninvolved parents are characterized by being unresponsive, having minimal demands of the child, and not communicating with the child.

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Children raise themselves -

Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don’t devote much time or energy to their children. It should be said that these parents are suffering from mental health issues themselves in many cases.

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Lack of guidance and support -

These parents will tend to have very little knowledge of where their child is or what they’re doing. The child typically won’t receive much guidance, support, or warmth from this style of parent.

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Some parents may be struggling with work -

Uninvolved parents may be overwhelmed with work, managing a household and bills, and simply may not have the time or presence of mind to give the child what they need.

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Self-esteem issues -

Children of these kinds of parents tend to grow up less happy and are at a higher risk of developing issues with self-esteem.

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Authoritative parenting is the healthiest -

In short, for the sake of the children’s well-being, success, happiness, and general performance in life, the style of parenting that is best is the authoritative parent.

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Authoritative parenting is a good balance -

The authoritative style of parents strikes a balance in setting rules while not being too strict, and explains to the child the reason for the rules they’ve put in place.

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Children can affect the parenting style -

Interestingly, it’s also been found that children can affect parenting style, too. For example, kids tend to misbehave not because the parent was too permissive but because the parent gave up on trying to control the child misbehaving.

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To consider -

Furthermore, it’s not always the case that the parenting style affects the children in a way that’s expected. Often children with permissive parents behave very well and respect authority and rules, and children with authoritarian-style parents are hell-bent on breaking them.

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The "best parenting style" doesn't apply to all cultures -

There are also cultural factors at play. Authoritative parenting, which is proven to produce the best outcomes for European and American families in terms of children’s school performance, doesn’t apply in the same way to African-American or Asian-American children.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Parenting for Brain) (Bright Horizons)

See also: Individual psychology: How you can be happy today

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