Parenting is a difficult job, and no fix fits. There are numerous parenting styles, each with its own set of traits and effects on the development of kids. We will address the four most prevalent kinds: strict, lenient, authoritative, and loose. 

1 authoritarian parenting

Rigid rules, lofty demands, and a lack of warmth distinguish authoritarian parenting. Authoritarian parents expect their children to obey rigid regulations without issue, and violating them can result in punishment. This parenting style can be successful in the short term by encouraging punishment and submission, but it can also have negative long-term consequences. Teens raised in such a setting are likelier to have low self-esteem, trouble making choices, and less autonomy. 

PHOTO | COURTESY father and kid

2 lenient parenting

an absence of rules and a high emotional warmth distinguishes lenient parenting. Permissive parents are more lenient and enable their kids to choose. This parenting approach can be beneficial in encouraging creativity and becoming independent, but it can also result in negative outcomes like a lack of responsibility and self-control. Children raised in such circumstances may struggle to comprehend boundaries and repercussions.

PHOTO | COURTESY mother and daughter

3 autocratic parenting

autocratic parenting is a middle ground between autocratic and permissive parenting. High standards, straightforward guidelines, and emotional warmth distinguish this parenting approach. Authoritarian parents structure and guide their children, giving them some freedom and autonomy to make their own choices. This parenting style has been the most successful in encouraging good child outcomes such as confidence, self-determination, and academic success.

4 Uninvolved parenting

A lack of psychological tenderness and involvement in a kid's life distinguishes uninvolved parenting. Uninvolved parents may meet their children's basic requirements but are emotionally disconnected from their children's lives. This parenting style can have negative consequences, including poor academic achievement, low self-esteem, and trouble forming relationships.

It is essential to remember that these four approaches to parenting are not indistinguishable from one another, and most parents employ a combination of them. Recognising how societal differences, family dynamics, and individual traits can influence parenting is critical. Some societies, for example, may prefer strict parenting to foster respect for authority, whereas others may prefer permissive parenting to foster creativity and self-expression.