Dr. Ana Aznar
Question:
Do you have an opinion on the Baumrind parenting styles? Are they outdated in parenting circles now, or are they still legit? I'm a new uncle to a little nephew, and have been doing research so I can help my brother and sister-in-law out, so I am curious.
Dr. Ana’s Answer:
Congratulations on your nephew and how lucky he is to have such an involved uncle. The Baumrid parenting styles are not outdated. As you may know, Baumrid quoted four main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful.
There are hundreds of studies showing that authoritative parenting is the best parenting style. Authoritative parents are loving, caring, and warm. They encourage trust and intimacy. They set high expectations and clear rules. As a result, children understand those rules and what the consequences are when they break them. Parents take into consideration their children’s opinions and feelings. Children feel safe and secure because their parents are consistent and establish clear routines.
Children of authoritative parents are usually the ones who do best. These children tend to:
- Be well adjusted
- Have good social skills
- Do well in school
- Have high self-esteem
Hundreds of studies show that authoritative parenting can be considered the gold standard of parenting. It is also very important to remember that we should always try to be warm and caring towards our children and to set clear limits, but we must never forget that the perfect parent does not exist. We will get things wrong and it is OK.
You may find these articles useful:
- Parenting Styles: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
- The Importance of Parenting: How Much Do Parents Really Matter?
I wish you all the very best and your little nephew the best luck in the world.
Love,
Ana
Do you have questions for Dr. Ana? Ask for free today!
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