Research Essay

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Labonville 1 Topanga Labonville English Composition II Professor Burridge 15 April 2023 What is the healthiest parenting style? All parents are different. There is always value in individuality. Most parents want the best for their children and they try to make that happen with the knowledge they have. However, what a parent thinks is best, may not always be the healthiest. The Merrimack-Webster dictionary defines health as “the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit. especially : freedom from disease. : the overall condition of the body”. For the purpose of this essay, a healthy parenting style is one that supports the definition of health by displaying communication, mutual respect, and nurturing. In psychology, there are four main parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and neglectful (or uninvolved). When considering a child’s needs, authoritative is the healthiest, most beneficial parenting style. There are many different parenting styles but there are four that are most commonly acknowledged. Authoritarian parenting often consists of one way communication. The parent sets expectations and leaves no room for error. Any errors are often met with harsh punishment (Sanvictores, Mendez 1). This is very different from the authoritative parenting style, which mixes nurturing with discipline. The parents hold their children accountable while still being supportive. Authoritative parents keep an open line of communication and respect their children's perspectives (2). Like the authoritative style, permissive parenting also involves being nurturing. However, there are no expectations or discipline (3). Lastly, neglectful parents essentially do the bare minimum for their children. This style is unlike any other. There is no nurturing, discipline or communication. They are mostly detached from their child’s life (4). Each of these styles has the potential to impact a child’s future. The relationship a child has with their parents can have a big influence on their emotional development. A strong, nurturing relationship with parents will likely have long-lasting, positive effects on an individual. Just as a tense or abusive relationship will negatively affect an individual throughout

Labonville 2 life. For example, in the article “Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Parenting Style among Adolescents” the authors state, “Psychological well-being of…adolescents may be affected by the family, through the relationships they share, and also by the parenting styles adopted by the parents to rear their children” (Francis, Ansu, et al 135). The parenting style adopted by parents will largely influence the type of relationship they have with their child. For example, a parent that adopts a neglectful style, is clearly not going to have a positive relationship with their child, if any relationship at all due to the parents lack of involvement. Additionally, a child that grows up with permissive parents is unlikely to respect their parents or see them as an authority figure due to the lack of expectations. Aside from poor parental relationships, these styles can directly affect a child’s mental well-being. In the article, the authors conducted a study and explained “children who perceived their parents as permissive had diminished personal growth. The results also suggested that neglectful parenting style decreases the psychological well-being of the adolescents” (139). Each parenting style can affect a child differently so it is important for parents to be mindful of how their actions are impacting their children. When it comes to authoritarian parenting, this can lead to one of the worst relationships. Authoritarian parents often end up being resented by their children. In the article “Types of Parental Styles and Effects on Children”, the authors explain “Strict parental rules and punishments often influence the child to rebel against authority figures as they grow older” (Sanvictores, Mendez 2). There may be aggression and abuse involved in these relationships. Additionally, children of authoritarian parents may fear punishment and negative feedback so much that they do not allow themselves to learn and grow as an individual. This can lead to a number of mental health issues as well as the inability to regulate emotions. In an article titled “Parenting Styles: A Closer look at a Well-Known Concept” the authors state “An authoritarian parenting style has consistently been associated with negative developmental outcomes, such as aggression, delinquent behaviors, somatic complaints, depersonalisation and anxiety” (169). The negative effects of authoritarian parenting can result in issues that last throughout adulthood and potentially reduce the individual's quality of life. Like the permissive and neglectful parenting styles, the authoritarian style lacks the fundamental pieces of a healthy parenting style.

Labonville 3 The authoritative style is the perfect combination of support and care. It is important for children to be held to certain expectations. However, it is equally as important to give them an opportunity to make mistakes. Children should be taught that everything is a learning experience, and that is exactly what authoritative parents do. As explained in the article, “Parental interaction with children influence their growth and development. Parents play an important role in the psychological well-being of adolescents” (Francis, Ansu et al 135). Therefore, displaying patience and demonstrating communication is especially important when it comes to the well-being of children. To give children the best chance at healthy psychological development, they must be taught responsibility while still receiving love and empathy from their parents. Additionally, the communication and openness provided within the authoritative parenting style is key within any healthy relationship. In the article “Empathy as a Mediator of the Relationship between Authoritative Parenting and Delinquent Behavior in Adolescence“, the author states “children who receive affectionate parental support are more likely to share information about their life and daily activities with their parents” (Goering, Mrug 1309). This creates trust between parent and child and gives them the opportunity to find their own identity. When children trust their parents and feel trusted themselves, they often make better choices. For example, Goering and Mrung explain “parental nurturance and support are also associated with lower engagement in delinquent and aggressive behaviors in adolescents” (1309). Not only will children be more open with you when receiving this type of parenting, they will also be less likely to engage in activity that could negatively affect their future. It is clear that Authoritative Parenting is the superior style. When it comes to parental relationships, child development and overall mental well-being, authoritative parenting yields the best outcomes. As stated by Goering and Mung, “authoritative parenting style has consistently been associated with positive developmental outcomes in youth, such as psychosocial competence (e.g., maturation, resilience, optimism, self-reliance, social competence, self-esteem) and academic achievement” (13160). Styles such as permissive, authoritarian and neglectful can involve abusive and dangerous behaviors. The authoritative style provides the most reasonable care to children while giving them the best opportunity to develop into emotionally mature adults. The way children are raised will directly impact their futures.

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Labonville 4 Authoritative parenting teaches children about love, respect and responsibility. When compared to all other styles, Authoritative parenting is by far the healthiest way to raise a child.

Labonville 5 Works Cited Francis, Ansu, et al. “Psychological Well-Being and Perceived Parenting Style among Adolescents.” Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, 2020, pp. 134-143., https://doi.org/10.1080/24694193.2020.1743796 . Goering, Marlon, and Sylvie Mrug. “Empathy as a Mediator of the Relationship between Authoritative Parenting and Delinquent Behavior in Adolescence.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence, vol. 50, no. 7, 2021, pp. 1308–1318., https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-021-01445-9 . Kuppens, Sofie, and Eva Ceulemans. “Parenting Styles: A Closer Look at a Well-Known Concept.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, vol. 28, no. 1, 2018, pp. 168–181., https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1242-x . Sanvictores, Terrence, and Magda D Mendez. “Types of Parenting Styles and Effects on Children .” National Library of Medicine, National Health Institute, Sept. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK568743/ .

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