Two approaches to parenting - Essay Example

Two Approaches to Parenting Parenting styles are psychological constructs that represent standard strategies used byparents in child rearing, and may be based on factors such as education, culture and personality. Two of the most common styles that this essay will compare and contrast are authoritative and authoritarian parenting. Although both styles are based on parents expecting children to strictly follow established rules, they also differ greatly and may or may not achieve similar results (Bernstein 42).

They are both demanding, but authoritative parenting is responsive and propagative. On the other hand, authoritarian parenting is unresponsive and totalitarian in nature. This implies that while authoritative parenting is indulgent or permissive, authoritarian parenting is neglectful. While authoritarian parenting features child-focused approaches that have high anticipations of maturity, authoritative parenting understands how children feel and teaches how to regulate the feelings (Bernstein 38).

Authoritative parents also encourage independence but still limits and controls children’s actions. While children are required to follow rules in the two styles, failure of which results in punishment, the authoritarian style is less democratic than the authoritative style (Bernstein 69). This is because punishment in authoritarian parenting is not explained, meaning children may not know exactly what they were punished for. On the other hand, authoritative parenting is more responsive to children, ready to listen to and answer questions and explain the purpose of punishment.

Further, authoritative parents are more likely to forgive and nurture their children rather than punish them in the event of not following rules. Finally, children brought up in the authoritarian style are likely to develop less social competence than those brought up in the authoritative style because they lack self-confidence. On the other hand, authoritative parenting will most likely build higher self-esteem and develops democratic values (Bernstein 74).Works CitedBernstein, D. Essentials of psychology.

California: Wadsworth, 2011. Print.