In the current generation, parenting is considered as a trade that is determined by family culture and values instilled in children. Different styles support different kinds of growth and development among children and as such, factors such as interactions and discipline influence the outcome of their lives in the future. It is imperative to note that each approach of raising a child takes a different approach and as such, can be identified by distinct characteristics. Research has shown that some parenting styles and caregivers are more effective than others because they create better outcomes. Parents must, therefore, be keen on adapting techniques that promote the best practices for creating strong academic, emotional, social, and cognitive abilities for their children.
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
In an authoritarian style of parenting, parents take the roles of disciplinarians with very strict, controlling and less nurturing attributes ( Roggman, Boyce & Innocenti, 2008 ). They tend to believe that their children should always follow the rules they have set without any exceptions. Communication is usually one-sided, from the parent to the child and at the end of the day, the need for obedience is usually a big priority. Feelings of the young ones are not considered based on the fact that in most cases, punishments are used as the main disciplinary style. Any form of disobedience by a child is treated very seriously by these parents who have a very high expectation from the latter, yet they are non-responsive to their needs. Children are not allowed to solve problems by themselves because parents enforce all the rules and outline the consequences of defying them ( Benson & Haith, 2009 ). The main investment here is, therefore, making children feel sorry for what they have done without any regard for their opinion or reason behind their actions.
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Research has shown that this parenting style has adverse consequences on the development and outcome of a child. The obedience enforced from an early age comes at a price because such children tend to develop self-esteem problems. They feel as if their opinions do not matter and, in most cases, have a very had time interacting with other children in school. In some cases, aggressive behavior is exhibited as a result of the anger that they have towards their parents. Instead of building a better life for themselves, they end up growing to become hostile and secretive because they have been accustomed to always following the rules. Moreover, they will also rely on others to make decisions for them because they have grown up believing their opinions do not matter.
Authoritative Parenting
According to Roggman, Boyce & Innocenti (2008) , parents who fall under this category also have a set of rules and consequences for defying them, but they still also consider their children’s opinions. They are focused on creating and maintaining positive relationships with their children and as such, the feelings of the latter are nurtured. It is imperative to note that these parents may set some rules to be followed, but always explain the rationale behind each enforcement. A child will, therefore, know the importance of following rules because the reason behind defying it is clearly outlined. Parents also invest their time to prevent the development of behavioral problems at an early stage by making it know that they are in charge. Positive disciplinary strategies such as rewards and praises are also used to reinforce good behavior. Children who are raised by such parents tend to exhibit high levels of self-esteem and an ability to solve problems on their own ( Benson & Haith, 2009 ). In addition to this, they also grow up to become responsible adults because they have been raised to express their opinion and make decisions that will be beneficial.
Permissive Parenting
Permissive parents take on the role of being a friend rather than a parent based on the fact that they let their children do what they want with limited direction and guidance ( Roggman, Boyce & Innocenti, 2008 ). In most cases, they have no rules and if they exist, they are not strictly adhered to. Children are therefore allowed to figure out the solution to problems on their own because parents believe interference will disturb their development. Expectations are not set and leniency is practiced in a warm and nurturing style. Parents will only step in to solve a problem if it is very serious meaning that for the small ones, no effort is put into discouraging children against poor choices and bad behavior. In the long run, these parents face bigger battles because their children are used to being in control. They will, therefore, behave irresponsibly, talk back to their parents, develop bad habits and exhibit rude behavior. Academic struggles and health problems are also likely to occur because there is no limit on the decisions that a child makes. Making a child happy may seem like a good strategy during the early stages, but it may have very bad long-term consequences.
Uninvolved Parenting
These types of parents let their children raise themselves by staying out of their way and giving them as much freedom as they need. It is important to note that whereas some parents may make a decision to use this style of parenting, there are others who do not have interests in bringing up their children or are unsure of the best approach to use ( Benson & Haith, 2009 ). Communication is limited and at most times, the parent is not aware of what their child is doing, where they are and who they are with. There is either limited or no guidance, parental attention and nurturing. No concern is placed on the welfare of the child in school and at home and as such, the basic needs of the latter are not met. In some cases, this kind of neglect may not always be intentional as some parents may be suffering from substance abuse problems or mental health issues. Such children tend to exhibit behavioral issues and perform poorly in school. In addition to this, they lack happiness, attachment, and love, thus contributing to low self-esteem. They give up their personal ambitions and ignore their childhood goals because no one is there to motivate and encourage them.
Types of Caregivers
In contemporary societies, parents often have to make a decision regarding the type of care they will adopt for their children. The question of whether they will take the latter to daycare or stay-at-home with them requires an analysis depending on its impact on the development of a child. The decision to be made must, therefore, be strictly based on the interest of the children. There are families that believe children will grow up better both socially and maturely in daycare environments whereas others believe that stay-at-home parenting is the best for nurturing children ( Roggman, Boyce & Innocenti, 2008 ). The purpose of this section is to provide an analysis of daycare and stay at home parents by comparing and contrasting the caregivers and their impact on the development of a child.
Daycare vs. Stay-at-home Parents
There are numerous benefits of taking a child to daycare as opposed to stay-at-home parenting. For starters, it provides a suitable environment for children to engage in various enrichment activities like art, games, and nature among others. In addition to this, these caregivers also increase the social, cognitive and intellectual skills, thus facilitating a proper development. A research conducted by Benson & Haith (2009) shows that children who have gone through daycare programs tend to score higher than their stay-at-home-parented counterparts when it comes to academic achievement and cognitive abilities. Daycare also promotes independence in young ones because they are given a chance to do things on their own at an early stage. The downside of raising up a kid in such a place is that they spend many hours from home, thus creating a rift in their relationships with parents. The more time they spend in these areas, the less positive interaction they will have with their parents ( Benson & Haith, 2009 ). It is also likely that such children may suffer from depression and anxiety because of this kind of separation.
Stay-at-home parenting, on the other hand, provides room for parents to bond with their children, thus creating a safe, happy, secure, and confident environment for the latter. Attention is also considered as a valuable factor during a child’s development. Children who are raised in such an approach feel loved and special because they get adequate attention from their parents. The disadvantage of this approach is that it may hider a child’s development because they will be dependent on their parents and also lack social skills for interacting with other children when they go to school.
Early Childhood Education
Over the past decades, childhood education has undergone numerous changes through the introduction of programs that have reaped direct benefits to a child’s behavior, learning capacity socialization, cognitive abilities, and socialization. During the early times, societies had not yet adopted the concept of preschools. Children would, therefore, be raised by their parents until they reached the age where they could attend kindergarten. In addition to this, there was also a set age limit that determined if a child was old enough to join school. The introduction of preschools in the modern world has increased cognitive skills thus improving the academic outcomes of the young generation ( Roggman, Boyce & Innocenti, 2008 ).
Early childhood education provides room for children to develop social skills and problem-solving abilities at a young age. They are equipped with knowledge that is vital during the next stage of their development cycle and as such, they gain an upper hand when they join kindergarten. It has also been established that this type of education nurtures a child’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, thus fostering a safe and secure environment for proper development.
References
Benson, J. B., & Haith, M. M. (2009). Social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood . London: Academic.
Roggman, L. A., Boyce, L. K., & Innocenti, M. S. (2008). Developmental parenting: A guide for early childhood practitioners . Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.
