Parenting Styles- An Asian Insight Essay -- essays research papers

In 1978, Dr. Diana Baumrind was the first to define the four parenting styles. Since then, there have been more styles that utilize different category designs. For Baumrind, her categories were responsiveness and demandingness. Responsiveness is defined as warmth: a parent's response to the needs of a child in an accepting and supporting way. Responsiveness can also be used interchangeable with love. Parents use love as a tool to teach right from wrong, increase a child's self-esteem, and encourage individualism. In order to portray love, these parents use a combination of communication, negotiation, and reason. Demandingness, or limits, refers to a parent's expectation of mature, responsible behavior. Parents use limits and expectations to teach respect and provide a sound structure for their child. Consequently, the use of control and harsh discipline is used. The differences between the four styles is easily seen and defined in the following chart: Baumrind's Four Parenting Styles Demandingness Responsiveness Low High Low Uninvolved Authoritarian High Permissive Authoritative Authoritative or democratic parents are considered flexible, using negotiation and communication with control and discipline to allow for give-and-take situations. They are less likely to use physical punishment. These parents encourage a child's uniqueness and gives love and respect. They offer their support in everything the child does, even when the result is failure. Rather they encourage a healthy rebound. Authoritarian parents are seen as highly directive individuals who value obedience to maintain order. They tend to monopolize a child and hold them to, sometimes, unreasonable goals. These parents constantly supervise, give reminders, and instruct their child in every aspect of everyday life. In some extremes and due to external sources, authoritarian parents give excessive amounts of duties and chores upon a child, which would cause a child to miss out on the "carefree" aspect of childhood. These parents also discourage discussion between them and their children ... ... in her own way and makes sure that I understand, but she also gives me time to think it. To tell the truth, I sometimes hated my parents for their bias treatment of my sister and I. Then again, I think I was quite a difficult child, both rebellious nonconforming, but it just hurts when the phrase â€Å"Don’t be like your sister† is used. Nevertheless, I grew up well adjusted and happy. I did not plan on becoming a mother at such a young age. I felt like there are so many things left unexperienced. However, my husband and I have been enjoying Andrew for whom he is. He is such a bundle of joy. We are the new generation parents, and we are nurturing a new generation. We like to let him learn by experience and not stifle him. Letting him roam around and get into things is the best way for him to see the world. Why be so concerned about letting Andrew get into things? Someone had commented that we are the most casual set of parents she has ever met. I like to think of that in a positive way. I often draw from my childhood experiences and bring myself to Andrew’s level to become a better parent, because what better way is there to understand our children than to become children ourselves?