Which Parenting Style Is the Best for Your Child? 5 Options
Parenting styles have a significant impact on a child’s development and well-being. A parent’s approach to child-rearing can affect the child’s behavior, self-esteem, and overall mental health. Therefore, it’s beneficial to understand the different parenting styles and their potential impact on children.
So let’s speak about the four main parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved) and also about that new style called dolphin parenting. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each parenting style? And what parenting style is the best?
The Different Parenting Styles
There are four main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Each parenting style has its unique characteristics, and parents tend to adopt one of these styles based on their values, beliefs, and personal experiences.
Authoritative Parenting Style
The authoritative parenting style is characterized by a balance of warmth and strictness. Authoritative parents set clear expectations and rules for their children while also providing emotional support and encouragement. They listen to their children’s opinions and allow them to express themselves freely. This parenting style fosters independence, self-esteem, and responsibility in children.
Authoritarian Parenting Style
The authoritarian parenting style is characterized by strict rules and high expectations. Authoritarian parents prioritize obedience and discipline over emotional support and understanding. They tend to be less nurturing and more controlling, and they don’t allow their children to question their authority. This parenting style can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and rebellion in children.
Permissive Parenting Style
The permissive parenting style is characterized by warmth and affection but low control. Permissive parents tend to be more relaxed and lenient with their children, allowing them to make their own decisions without providing much guidance or structure. This parenting style can lead to entitlement, poor decision-making skills, and a lack of self-discipline in children.
Uninvolved Parenting Style
The uninvolved parenting style is characterized by neglect and lack of attention. Uninvolved parents provide minimal emotional support, guidance, and structure to their children. They may be physically present but emotionally absent. This parenting style can lead to low self-esteem, behavior problems, and attachment issues in children.
Understanding the different parenting styles is essential in choosing the right approach to parenting your child. Parents don’t necessarily follow their parenting style as strictly as the examples above, so it is not like every child whose parents are inclined to uninvolved parenting shows the negative behavior mentioned.
But everyone tends to one of the styles above, often unconsciously following the example of their own parents. Becoming aware of it is a good first step.
To change it is a difficult road, but make that journey. It is so worth it and even though it isn’t easy, every small step is a step in the right direction.
I promised to talk about another parenting approach too, so let’s talk about the recently coined dolphin parenting style.
The Dolphin Parenting Style
In recent years, a new parenting style has emerged called the dolphin parenting style. This approach takes elements from the authoritative and permissive parenting styles and combines them to create a balanced approach to child-rearing.
Dolphin parents prioritize the emotional well-being of their children while also providing structure and guidance. They encourage their children to be independent, self-reliant, and creative. Dolphin parents also emphasize the importance of play and exploration in a child’s development.
The name dolphin parenting refers to the book „The Dolphin Parent: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy, and Self-Motivated Kids“ by Dr. Shimi Kang.
Compared to other parenting styles, dolphin parenting is less authoritarian and more flexible. However, it still provides structure and boundaries to help children feel secure and supported.
The Best Parenting Style
While the authoritative parenting style still is widely considered the best parenting style for raising healthy and well-adjusted children it is slowly being replaced by the dolphin parenting style.
Both of them provide a nurturing environment and encourage their children to express themselves, make their own decisions, and take responsibility for their actions.
Dolphin parents are a little more flexible and focus on balance as well as emotional and mental well-being and take a more collaborative approach.
Potential advantages of dolphin parenting include raising healthy, happy, and successful children and I’m sure we will see the positive impact in the years to come while our view on parenting as society proceeds to change and evolve.
For authoritative parenting, studies have shown that children raised in authoritative households tend to have better academic performance, higher self-esteem, and better mental health outcomes than children raised with the other three parenting approaches. These children also tend to have stronger social skills and positive relationships with their peers and family members.
Strict Parenting vs. Authoritative Parenting vs. Dolphin Parenting
While strict parenting may seem like an effective way to raise well-behaved children, it can lead to negative outcomes such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and rebellion. Authoritative parenting and dolphin parenting, on the other hand, prioritize emotional support, nurturing, and guidance while still setting clear boundaries and expectations.
Compared to authoritative parenting, dolphin parenting provides more flexibility and encourages children to take risks and explore their interests. So it really is worth considering a change of view if very strict parenting was your way to go up until now. Next to promoting positive child development, the change can also lead to fewer confrontations with your child and a better and more trusting relationship with kids that feel comfortable seeking your help when they are in trouble or need guidance.
What Is The Least Effective Parenting Style?
The uninvolved parenting style is widely considered the least effective parenting style. Children raised in uninvolved households tend to have low self-esteem, behavior problems, and attachment issues. As well as lead to poor academic performance and social skills.
In a world where our attention is demanded by everything and everyone at all times through us being connected through our cell phones, and multimedia, we have to watch out so that our children don’t miss out.
Unfortunately today I often see parents absorbed by whatever they are looking at on their phone, while their child tries to get their attention. And it is babies and toddlers that often get the raw deal in my opinion, because if they can’t get through with their soft attempts at communication, like staring at us, they often give up and you can see them shutting down.
So pay attention, take time to be with your child without any distractions, listen to them, and show them that you care.
In Summary
Parenting is one of the most important jobs a person can have, and choosing the right parenting style and constantly working on yourself can make a significant impact on a child’s life. Authoritative parenting is the best parenting style of the four main parenting styles for promoting positive child development. However, the recently coined dolphin parenting style is also an effective approach that provides flexibility and encourages creativity and exploration.
For parenting, there isn’t one solution for everyone, but if we remember to use empathy, and compassion, and to be present in our everyday routine with our children we are on the right track. Parents should consider their child’s unique needs, personality, and interests and don’t have too high or unreachable expectations. Everyone should give children the chance to build expectations for themselves instead of fulfilling those of others.
By providing emotional support, nurturing, and guidance, parents can help their children reach their full potential find congruency, and lead happy and fulfilling lives.
