Parenting influences the attachment of a child to their parents significantly. Studies done on child development indicate that the behavior portrayed by a parent towards their children may impact their development either positively or negatively. Four primary parenting styles are based on parental responsiveness and parental demandingness. The essay will elaborate on two of the four parenting styles.
Indulgent parenting
It is also referred to as permissive or nondirective parenting. In this style of parenting, parents are more responsive than demanding to their children (Darling, 1999). The parents are usually sensitive to the needs of their children, but they tend to place limited demands and control over the children. Indulgent parents rarely confront their children and show leniency in punishing their children.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Authoritarian Parenting
Authoritarian parents are demanding and directive to their children but not responsive to their needs and wishes (Darling, 1999). The parents expect their children to obey and adhere to their strict rules without any resistance or explanation. Authoritarian parents often use corporal punishment or shouting to force their children to submit to their demands. Authoritarian parenting may have a negative impact on the child's development, such as less social competence.
The parenting style has a significant impact on the relationship between children and their parents or caregivers. Several forms of attachment may arise based on the type of parenting given to a child.
In indulgent parenting, secure attachment is likely to be portrayed by the child. This is because the parents are usually responsive to the needs and wishes of the child, which creates a sense of security for the child (Pawlik, & Rosenzweig, 2000). The parents are emotionally available for their children, and they are alert to the needs of their children. Emotional stability allows the child to explore their environment in safety, which improves their development. Although indulgent parenting may not be the best parenting style, it provides the child with the necessary emotional and psychological stability, which is essential in a child's development.
In authoritarian parenting, avoidant attachment is likely to be portrayed by the child (Pawlik, & Rosenzweig, 2000). This is because the parents are emotionally unavailable for their children, and they are rarely responsive to the needs of the child. A child may experience mixed emotions of anger and frustration and may result in aggressive behavior. Also, the fact that the parents are demanding has the ripple effect of suppressing the emotions of the children, and they may end up depressed and unhappy. Some of these children tend to develop rebellious behavior in their adolescence, and sometimes this may continue into their adulthood. The children may also indulge in escapist behavior such as drug abuse to overcome their anger and resentment towards their parents.
Culture may have a significant impact on the form of attachment portrayed by a child. The cultural setup in which a child is brought up has a significant impact on the attachment behavior of a child in that it influences the parenting styles (Pawlik, & Rosenzweig, 2000). For instance, Western culture promotes individualism while the Eastern culture promotes collectivism, both of which have a significant impact on the parenting styles. Individualist culture promotes independence while collectivist culture promotes cooperation and collective achievement of family or group goals. An individualist culture, therefore, promotes authoritarian parenting which leads to avoidant and insecure attachment. For instance, a study conducted in Germany revealed a prevalence of avoidant behavior in children. On the other hand, a collectivist culture promotes secure attachment in that the parents tend to be more involved in their children's lives and are more responsive to their needs.
References
Darling, N. (1999). Parenting Style and Its Correlates. ERIC Digest.
Pawlik, K., & Rosenzweig, M. R. (Eds.). (2000). The international handbook of psychology. Sage.
