Parenting Styles

Parenting is one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also be one of its greatest challenges. Parents and caregivers take on the responsibility of nurturing, guiding, and protecting their children. While culture, family, and society heavily influence child rearing, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising children. Sanvictores (2022) has identified four major parenting styles:

Authoritarian parents tend to be strict and set firm boundaries with little room for discussion. They expect children to obey without question, and independence is often discouraged.

Authoritative parenting takes a balanced approach, setting clear expectations while maintaining warmth and open communication.

Permissive parents are highly nurturing but set minimal boundaries and expectations. They often view their children as friends and provide limited guidance, allowing them to make their own decisions.

And lastly, neglectful parents are often emotionally detached, providing little love, guidance, support, or discipline.

Thinking back to your childhood, how would you describe your parent’s parenting style? Were there aspects that you would want to pass down to further generations? In recent years, many parents have started to embrace a newer parenting approach – gentle parenting. This method prioritizes respect, emotional intelligence, and understanding rather than punishment (Pezalla & Davidson, 2024). Gentle parenting focuses on guiding children through emotional regulation and problem-solving rather than relying on strict discipline. Research also suggests this approach fosters healthier trust, open communication, conflict resolution, and self-confidence in children (Pezalla & Davidson, 2024).

While some parents strictly follow one style, many find success in blending different parenting techniques to create a hybrid approach that best fits their child’s need. How would you describe your parenting style?