Western and Eastern Parenting Style - Coursework Example

Western parenting style better than Eastern parenting Parenting styles differ across cultures; there exists differences in the ways parents bring up children in both the western cultures and the eastern cultures. This study seeks to explore the Western parenting style and the Eastern parenting style. More specifically, the study will focus on the two parenting styles, the merits and demerits of each. The study will also highlight why Western parenting is the most desirable parenting style among the two. Western parenting style The Western parenting style tends to be less authoritative and more permissive than the Eastern parenting style. Children brought up in the Western culture enjoy a great deal of freedom as compared to their Eastern counterparts. Some features characterize the Western parenting style. Permissive parents tend to be lenient, allow their children to regulate themselves, and tend to avoid confrontation with the children (Ross & Clarke-Stewart 216). Western parents give children an opportunity to feel that learning should be fun. As a result, the permissive western parents believe that excessive emphasis on academic success does not seem suitable for children. Therefore, they do not put unreasonable expectations on children to perform in academics. Moreover, permissive Western parenting has considerable concern about the self-esteem of the children. As such, parents keep on reassuring their children of their self-worth even if the children fail at something. Therefore, parents still consider children who fail as good and never call the children names that reduce children’s ego such as worthless, useless, or stupid. In addition, the Western parenting style gives value and acknowledges the individuality of the kids (Balter 56). As a result, children have the free will to pursue life’s choices and passions; these endeavors gain support from the parents. Parents in the Western world also provide a nurturing environment and positively reinforce their children. Therefore, children in the Western world receive ultimate care from the parents; this allows them to have a free hand in making their decisions (Ramaekers & Suissa 78). Merits and Demerits of Western Parenting Style The parenting style of Western cultures has some advantages and disadvantages. One of the merits relates to the fact that children brought up in the permissive parenting cultures tend to be innovative and creative. Since they have the freedom to pursue what they like, they have the ability to think outside the box (Ross & Clarke-Stewart 217). This has resulted to the success of popular and successful men like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg. In addition, permissive parenting can determine their own fate; this facilitates aggressiveness and assertiveness. Moreover, permissive Western parenting allows kids to be happy and have less psychological challenges. Children of Western parenting rarely encounter emotional problems, which may be related to stress that emanates from unreasonable expectations. Despite the merits of Western parenting style, the parenting style has some demerits. Some of the demerits include the fact that children may grow up as underachievers. This may stem from the fact that parents do not push the kids to work hard. As a result, the children may not be fully aware of the numerous benefits of hard work. Moreover, the children may become weak and unable to deal with challenges, which they may encounter. Therefore, such kids may not survive in a tough world (Balter 57). Eastern parenting Style Authoritarian parents characterize the Eastern parenting style; these parents have ultimate control over their children. Children cannot question the parents; defying orders of the parents may lead to consequences such as punishment. More often, parents may insult children by calling them names that are demeaning (Ross & Clarke-Stewart 218). The Eastern parenting style entails parents directing children on what they should do; parents believe that they are the only ones who know what is best for their kids. Kids do not have time to live an enjoyable life since parents think that this will distract the kids from academic performance. The parents do everything to make sure that the child makes up for some failure. As a result, these parents tend to subject children to tests in order to upgrade the child’s performance (Rivers 48). Authoritarian parents tend to demand that children get perfect grades at school and believe that children have the ability to get these grades. Failure on the part of the children is interpreted as lack of enough hard work. Children who perform well at school receive rewards and praises from parents. To authoritarian Eastern parenting, children should be prepared for the future (Gupta 43). As such, Eastern parenting teaches children to work hard, embrace significant study habits, methods, skills, and develop some inner confidence. Some of the merits of this parenting style include the fact that Children from the Eastern cultures outperform their Western counterparts. Authoritarian parenting enhances mastery of essential skills in children; as a result, children grow up being intelligent (Ramaekers & Suissa 79). Reasons why Western Parenting is better than Eastern Parenting Style From the discussion of the two parenting styles, it can be argued that Western parenting is better than Eastern parenting for a number of reasons. The desirability of Western parenting stems from the demerits of Eastern parenting style. Therefore, Western parenting is better because kids may end up hating school due to pressure from parents. The pressure to perform well in school may make children hate school. This is contrary to the Western parenting style, which permits children to have the free will in the activities they carry out (Gupta 43). Western parenting is also better than Eastern parenting because children raised up by authoritarian parents may experience psychological problems such as suicide, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, Western parenting allows children to develop their own opinions and ideas; this tends to be contrary to children of Eastern parenting who tend to be submissive (Rivers 50). Creativity, innovation, and imagination are enhanced in children of Western parenting. Western parenting allows children to exploit their full potential since they have the opportunity to explore with minimal parental control. This tends to be contrary to Eastern parenting where parents have ultimate control over the activities of their kids (Gupta 45). In conclusion, Western parenting entails permissiveness as the children have the freedom to control what they do. In this parenting style, parents allow children to explore and make some decisions in life. On the other hand, Eastern parenting tends to less lenient than Western parenting. Eastern parents lay unreasonable expectations on children to perform in school and achieve in life. This may result to psychological stress in children of the Eastern parents. Works Cited Balter, Lawrence. Parenthood in America: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1. California: ABC-CLIO, 2000. Print. Gupta, Laxmi. A Comparison of Parenting Behavior between European American and Asian Indian Parents. Washington, D. C.: ProQuest, 2008. Print. Ross, Parke & Clarke-Stewart, Alison. Social Development. London: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print. Ramaekers, Stefan & Suissa, Judith. The Claims of Parenting: Reasons, Responsibility and Society. London: Springer, 2011. Print. Rivers, Jewrell. The Relationship between Parenting Style and Academic Achievement and the Mediating Influences of Motivation, Goal-orientation and Academic Self-efficacy. Florida: ProQuest, 2008. Print.   Read More