Daniel Storage

In this video, we continue our discussion of developmental–or child–psychology by learning about parenting styles. We’ll focus specifically on the outcomes associated with each parenting style, as well as which parenting style is best long term.

Parenting Styles: The standard practices and strategies that parents use in their child rearing; parenting styles vary along two dimensions: warmth (or affection) and control (or structure).

Authoritative Parenting: The first style of parenting in which the parent gives reasonable demands and consistent limits (high control), expresses warmth and affection (high warmth), and listens to the child’s point of view; children of authoritative parents tend to have the best outcomes, including high self-esteem, better grades, and excellent social skills.

Authoritarian Parenting: The second style of parenting in which the parent places high value on conformity and obedience; the parent is strict, tightly monitors children (high control), and expresses little warmth (low warmth).

Permissive Parenting: The third style of parenting in which the children run the show and anything goes; the parent makes few demands and rarely uses punishment (low control), trying to play the role of friend rather than parent (high warmth); permissive parenting is associated with good social outcomes, but poor academic outcomes and often substance abuse problems later in life.

Uninvolved Parenting: The fourth style of parenting, sometimes referred to as neglectful parenting, in which the parent is indifferent, uninvolved, and sometimes neglectful; the parent does not respond to the child’s needs and makes very few demands; uninvolved parenting is associated with the poorest outcomes for children.