| The life of a parent undergoes a dramatic | | | | quizzed parents to ascertain which elements |
| change with the birth of a child and it | | | | of parenting nurtured such qualities, and |
| requires that he or she need to make certain | | | | then came up with two factors, which are |
| decisions like choosing between bottle or | | | | responsiveness or warmth as well as |
| breast, carriage or stroller, continuing work | | | | supportiveness, and demandingness or control |
| or staying home, employing a nanny or opting | | | | of the child's behavior. |
| for day care. | | | | |
| | | | The four major parenting styles they found |
| With children growing up, these decisions | | | | were authoritarian, authoritative, permissive |
| continue to change and parents need to decide | | | | and uninvolved. After further research, they |
| on the school the child must attend, their | | | | came to conclude that the best adjusted |
| meals, allowances, after-school activities | | | | children, especially when it came to social |
| and more. All these decisions are dependent | | | | competence, were children of parents that |
| on the parenting style and attitude which | | | | belonged to an authoritative, moderate |
| will influence how the child is taught and | | | | parenting style. Such parents were able to |
| learns to socialize. | | | | balance high demands with emotional |
| | | | responsiveness as well as respect for the |
| A Complicated Matter with No Easy Answers | | | | autonomy of their children. |
| | | | |
| Parenting is a complicated matter with no | | | | In contrast, parents that are too strict |
| easy answers available, and many different | | | | expect their children to accept parental |
| interactions concerning certain actions and | | | | judgments without argument and do not allow |
| attitudes on the part of parents need to be | | | | much freedom to the child. Children under |
| put together which will affect the | | | | such parenting style influences will be |
| development of the child. Such a broad | | | | reliant on authority and will not be able to |
| overall pattern of parental actions are | | | | show much spontaneity. Authoritative parents, |
| termed as a parenting style; not a single | | | | in sharp contrast, allow their children |
| act. | | | | freedom of expression and encourage a sense |
| | | | of independence in their children. |
| Parenting styles may differ and they were | | | | |
| best described by Diana Baumrind as well as | | | | Parenting style can influence the child and |
| other researchers in child development. They | | | | it has been found that children of |
| sought out qualities in children that were | | | | authoritarian mothers were five times more |
| most desirable such as innocence, maturity, | | | | likely to be overweight as compared to |
| independence, self-reliance, curiosity, | | | | authoritative mothers, while children of |
| self-control, friendliness as well as | | | | permissive or uninvolved parents were three |
| achievement orientation and they further | | | | times more at risk. |