Two Approaches to Parenting - Essay Example

Two Approaches to Parenting Parenting is the process during which parents support their children physically, emotionally, financially and socially, right from infancy to adulthood (Golombok). It is one of the biggest challenges, especially when parents make efforts to be the best parents intending to bring the best out of their children. Parents use many approaches while parenting. Some make the children bold and confident; while, some tend to make their personalities weaker. This paper intends to discuss two approaches to parenting: argumentative and authoritarian parenting.

Although there are many similarities between the two approaches, still these are different because both bring out different facets of children’s personalities. Both authoritative and authoritarian approaches hold strict standards for children. Both tend to drive the children the way parents want. The main similarity between the two approaches is that both types of parents want the children to be disciplined and closely controlled. Since both the approaches deal rather strictly with the children, they are more likely to bring up personalities that hold rigorous opinions and beliefs.

If argumentativeness increases, then the approach converts into authoritarianism in which the parents, especially mothers, have a hard time dealing with kids, because the older and independent the child grows, the more is the wish to control them and thus the situation becomes harder. Despite these similarities, the two approaches are very different from each other in terms of personality outcomes of children. Authoritative parents argue with their child and leave room for objections. They listen to their child’s ideas and reason with them due to which the child also learns how to reason and present logic.

This sharing of ideas leads to good communication between the parents and the child, which is very beneficial for the child in the long run. The child talks to the parents about his problems and discusses issues problematic to him. The parents listen to him and share their own opinions with him logically. On the other hand, authoritarian parents leave no room for reasoning and communication. They just want the child to do the thing because they want him to do it. There is no reason presented to the child and he is controlled with the use of power.

Although this makes him obedient, it does not teach him logic and reasoning. The child may grow up to be violent and aggressive in nature because he will want to do things without understanding the pros and cons and the consequences. The lack of communication with the parents will isolate him inside his own cocoon shell. To sum up, the two approaches tend to raise obedient children and hold strict standards for them; however, the authoritative approach is knowledge based while the authoritarian approach is power based.

The authoritative approach tries to lead the child with logic which makes him a reasonable person; while, the authoritarian approach tries to drive the child with power which makes him violent as he grows up. Both the approaches have their own benefits and it is up to the parents to decide which approach is better for their child in the long run. Works CitedGolombok, Susan. Parenting: What Really Counts? USA: Routledge, 2000.