Authoritative Parenting Effects – With Different Types of Parenting Styles

Some authoritative parenting effects are unexpected!

Ask parents and they’ll tell you they only want to be a good pair to their children and raise a healthy child who grows up with a good character and is competent. But there are some unforeseen authoritative parenting effects too that we’ll explore further.

But which parenting style is the best for such a development in children?

The developmental psychologist, Diana Baumrind, in the 1960s, said it is the authoritative parenting which is best for child rearing.

It has the perfect balance of strictness and responsiveness that parents need to have to raise obedient, cheerful, academically-excellent, career-oriented, and strong kids. 

Though opinions differ from person to person, this style of parenting has achieved what the other three styles, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved parenting have not.

So, it has been given the highest pedestal among the four and I feel it truly deserves the place.

So, what is Authoritative Parenting?

It is a flexible parenting style where parents have clear guidelines and expect their children to follow those and show a proper conduct at home and at the same time give them the love, support, care, attention, and freedom that they need.

In simple words, parents want their kids to behave in a certain way but do not have unreasonable expectations from them.

So if you want to follow an authoritative parenting style then you must also know about authoritative parenting effects.

Parents communicate with kids openly but discipline them as well. You can call it the best of both worlds!

But how is it different from the other parenting styles? Why do the other styles fail in raising healthy and happy children? Let’s find out.

How is Authoritative Parenting different from other Parenting Styles?

Surveys suggest that from among the four styles of parenting, authoritative parenting effects are best for complete development of children.

Here’s why:

Authoritative Parenting vs Authoritarian Parenting

Authoritative parenting maintains a balance between meeting the needs of children with love and care, being open with them, and setting boundaries.

Authoritarian parenting involves parents who are extremely demanding and unreasonably strict.

They set rules for their kids which they are ‘bound’ to follow. Authoritarian parents do not take ‘no’ as an answer.

Authoritative parents are understanding, give freedom to the kids for them to grow but the authoritarian parents want no-nonsense in their house!

Unlike authoritative parenting effects, authoritarian parenting leaves the children with a feeling of hatred, confusion and isolation.

They could also follow the same strict and over-demanding behavior and impart it onto their future kids.

Authoritative Parenting vs Permissive Parenting

Permissive parenting and authoritative parenting are similar on grounds of caring, nurturing, and having and strong attachment towards the children.

The difference is parents who follow permissive style do not believe in laying out a framework of house rules for the kids to follow.

They teach the kids difference between wrong and right with a lot of love and without stressing on discipline. These parents are easy-going and fun to grow up with.

Authoritative Parenting vs Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved parenting is where the parents have zero expectations from children, aren’t responsive, have no rules, and aren’t even emotionally attached to them.

The parents are either too busy to be present with the kids or are too involved in their own issues. It is the total opposite of authoritative parenting.

Children from such parents often feel abandoned or neglected and may show symptoms of ADHD or have bad mental health.

It seems to me that parents who follow the blend of leniency and discipline give their kids a better environment to grow up!

Characteristics of Authoritative Parenting and its effects

Now that we know how parents raise kids under authoritative style of parenting, let’s look at exactly what its characteristics are.

1.     Parents are demanding but open and responsive too.

Parents who follow the authoritative style have certain expectations from their children.

They want their children to behave well, meet their goals, follow the rules they set for the house, perform well academically, learn manners, and do well in life.

However, they do not demand anything that is unreasonable as they know their kids’ abilities very well.

Even though they want the children to follow certain guidelines, they are always present with the kids to help them in reaching their goals and achieving all that they want in life.

No matter what problems the kids face, authoritative parents will support them in every step.

In simple words, authoritative parenting effects are nurturing, the kids feel secure and no unnecessary pressure from the parents as well.

The family has a strong bond with each other. It’s a happy environment for the household.

2.     Parents encourage open communication with the kids.

It is said that communication builds the foundation of every relationship. And authoritative parents openly communicate to their kids about their expectations.

Not just that, they make the children understand the whys behind the expectations and how it will benefit them in the long run.

It helps the children understand the rationale behind the house rules and hence, instead of questioning their parents, they happily follow everything.

In case the kids find something that doesn’t suit their likes, the parents provide them a supportive environment where they can easily convey that to them.

So, there’s no pressure of worrying about whether your parents will like your decision or not.

Engaging in open communication keeps misunderstandings and secrecies away from close-knit families.

3.     Parents are understanding and are attached to their children emotionally.

If parents provide a healthy environment for their kids to grow up, they will not only be a happy and cheerful bunch but also successful in their lives.

Parents who follow the authoritative style are very much involved in the well-being of their children. They help in the academic and co-curricular growth and development of the kids.

As a result of which, kids find themselves improving on a daily basis.

Parents keep a check on the strength and weaknesses of their children, know their abilities well, have a clear understanding of their positives and flaws, and hence, know what they are capable of in the future.

In no way you’ll ever find an authoritative parent having unreasonable expectations from his kids. They know how and when to go easy on their babies!

4.     Authoritative Parents praise their kids for doing good but also criticize when needed.

Whenever kids do something good, meet one of their goals, or achieve something huge, it’s necessary to encourage them, praise them, and tell them that how proud they made you.

And authoritative parents always keep that in mind! They never back off from appreciating their kid when they’ve been a good boy or girl.

After all, little words of encouragement go a long way!

But, it’s also necessary to criticize your kid when you see them behaving in a mannerless way or neglecting their goals. You need to teach them it isn’t sensible to ignore your responsibilities.

And these set of parents do exactly that. They point out where their kids go wrong. It’s very healthy!

5.     The authoritative parents root for their kids to be independent

But also make sure they don’t misuse the freedom.

Parents following this style of parenting know how important it is for the kids to be independent and be able to take decisions for themselves.

So, they give the children enough room from a young age for the purpose. The authoritative parents have faith in their own kids.

However, they also know that complete freedom can be damaging to a child’s growth. So they decide on how much space and independence is necessary at what age.

Also, they are always available for close monitoring on their children’s decisions and actions for the kids’ betterment.

6.     Parents have a healthy ‘love yet in limits’ rule for their themselves.

When you look at parents who follow the authoritative style of parenting, you’ll notice they go out of their way in expressing their love for their children.

The kids know that no matter what, their family always has their backs and they’ll receive undying support in everything that they choose to do.

Showing love is very important especially when the kids are young or are teenagers and authoritative parents do that very well.

However, this set of parents is also smart enough to set limits for the kids so that they don’t take advantage of their love. As a result, the kids won’t do anything that is wrong and later be criticized by the parents.

7.     These families spend a lot of quality time with other.

I think there’s nothing more special than having time to spend with your family. The families where you find authoritative parents always focus on having time for each other and doing something together.

The parents make sure the kids do not feel abandoned and know that their parents are always around and not too busy with their own work. Kids learn the importance of family and family values this way.

With the ways that these parents raise their kids, what effects does it have on them? Do they tend to be happier? Do they feel secure? Are they emotionally intelligent? Let’s find out the effects of authoritative parenting on children.

Authoritative Parenting Effects on Kids – Benefits of the Authoritative Parenting Style

These parents are warm, nurturing, and provide a healthy environment for their kids to grow up.

As a result it is seen that the little pre-schoolers are happy, cooperate with their peers, are competent, develop social skills, and express warmth and affection.

Surveys suggest that the older children are found to be academically successful, explore various co-curricular activities, have a sound mental health, and are socially adept.

Let’s take a look at authoritative parenting benefits in detail.

1.     It is a happy and healthy home.

Since there is open communication between parents, and a strong bond develops between them, the home is a happy place to be.

The kids know what their parents expect from them and the parents know exactly what the kids like and where their comfort zone lies. It is always a positive environment and no unpleasant situations arise.

As a result the children grow up in harmony and it positively affects their growth and development.

2.     Love as well as discipline walk hand in hand.

Homes with authoritative parents have kids who are immensely loved.

However, they are also disciplined by the same so as to not go astray. So, it’s a combination of both love & discipline which teaches the kids the right way of living life.

3.     Kids are always encouraged to do better.

The children in authoritative families are always given importance to work hard towards achieving their goals. Parents are extremely supportive and encouraging.

Even if the child fails to meet their expectations, they do not judge him. Rather, look at his dedication and tell him that he can always do better the next time.

4.     One of the authoritative parenting effects is, discipline happens with a positive attitude.

The authoritative parents are warm, nurturing , and very understanding.

Hence, even if the kids go wrong at times, they choose to punish them but never resort to techniques that are harsh are emotionally disturbing for the kid.

Doing this, children learn to realize their mistakes and whatever message you want to give them, it reaches easily.

5.     Kids do well academically.

The parents who follow authoritative parenting style not only encourage their kids to study well but also help them in doing so.

You’ll always find this set of moms and dads involved in their children’s academic activities. Not just that, no matter what activities the kids have in school, parents make sure their kids give their best.

They are always present in their children’s difficult times to counsel them and give a push forward.

6.     Children do not get addicted to unhealthy habits.

Kids who grow up with authoritative parents are happier and have a good mental health.

Moreover, all their actions are closely monitored by their parents. Hence, the chances of getting addicted to smoking, drinking or drugs are low.

7.     Kids feel safe and secure.

Parents who are authoritative are so nurturing that kids feel secure growing up with them.

They share a strong, intimate, emotional bond with the parents and that turns the home into a happy and healthy one.

Also, children grow up to be friendly, have higher self-confidence and self-esteem.

8.     Children develop good coping skills.

Kids in an authoritative family set are good at regulating their emotions and have coping skills better than an average person.

They learn to handle stressful situations with ease from a young age. They become the problem-solving friend when they grow up!

Authoritative Parenting Effects – The Negative Side

It is important to maintain a balance when you are following the authoritative parenting style. Because you might either end being too demanding or too lenient.

And, none of these are good while raising a kid. But what happens if you aren’t careful? There are certain disadvantages of authoritative parenting you must keep in mind.

• You may set too many guidelines for your kids.
• This will either become too suffocating for them making you too controlling or they will become heavily dependent on you and your rules to do everything.
• Children may grow up with a low self-esteem if the parents are too demanding and do not tend to their needs.
• You like seeking your children’s opinion when you are taking decisions for them.
• But this might make them feel over-confident and by the time they grow up, they turn into rebels who hardly listen to you.
• Kids do not end up being as cordial and friendly as the parents. It might be difficult raising a child who is stubborn and arrogant.

So, is authoritative parenting style the best parenting style?

Such parents are nurturing, tend to all their children’s needs and desires and do everything possible to provide them a secure, safe, and loving environment.

They help in emotional regulation of the kids and give them space and freedom to grow.

There’s no reason why I shouldn’t say why this parenting style often comes out with the best results. It is indeed the best parenting style!