TMA01 Y176 Describe the three different parenting styles and discuss how they might impact on children's behavior

Y176 TMA01 1
Describe the three different parenting styles and discuss how they might impact on children's behavior

This essay will examine the three different parenting styles and how they may influence and impact on children's behavior. It will aim to show how various factors can be important and also illustrate the conflicting views attributed to the various parenting styles.

Baumrind (1967) suggests that the majority of parents display one of three different parenting styles. Authoritarian is the first style of parenting considered by Baumrind. This is where the parent uses strict discipline and leaves no opportunity for the child to negotiate. An example of a phrase used by an authoritarian parent may be “No you can not”, however, this may lead to the child rebelling at some point, therefore making it hard to impose rules. Permissive, The second parenting style, relies on imposing few rules or boundaries, the impact of which may be both negative and positive. The positive impact of this approach is that it may lead to better social skills. Alternatively the negative impact may be that the child could lack personal responsibility. To paraphrase, an example a parent may use with this parenting style may be “Well if you do not feel like it”, however, Baumrind contests that if a child’s behavior needs to be altered it may be difficult to do so with this parenting style. The third parenting style considered by Baumrind is authoritative. This is where the parents set clear standards and no punitive punishments. 2 The parent will exercise control over their child's behavior but also encourage them to be individuals. This enables their child develop their own mind and thinking, with impact being positive by giving their child high levels of self esteem. An example of a phrase a parent may use “This is my view but what are your thoughts?”.

Not only parenting styles can impact on their child's behavior; other factors such as changes in a child’s life can also impact on their behavior, such as a new sibling. Colloby, J. et al (2012, p.32) cites the example of Thomas, who found it hard to adjust to sharing his parents with Rowanna. When a new sibling arrives the child may become more demanding and rebellious, so as to gain more attention from their parents. However, there may be other underlined issues that can be factors to behavioural issues.

Various Key people in a child’s life can affect a child’s behaviour by the different parenting styles used. Colloby et al (2012 p.48) suggest a key person helps a baby or child become familiar with the setting and feel confident and safe within it. When a child feels confident they become keen to explore and try new things. Thomas may be more keen to explore new things with his speech therapist as it is more of a ‘fun’ time and his speech therapist maybe less authoritative than his parents.Colloby, J. et al (2012 p.49)again cite the example of Thomas enjoying one to one sessions and seeing it as ‘special time’. 3
The environment on which a child is in can impact on a child’s behaviour.
Colloby J et al (2012 p.69) Suggest children raised in dramatically different environments can later grow up to have very similar personalities. Conversely children who share a home and are raised in the same environment can grow up to have very different personalities. For example, a child that had little bond with their parents may have early issues but later grow up to have a very similar personality to a child who had a close bond with their parents. However, different parenting styles and the environment of which a child grows up in can impact on a child’s behavior at various ages.

Communication with a child can impact on their behavior, such as the use of words, voice tone and body language. Using certain words such as ‘NO’ can be direct and leave no room for negotiation, however, using a phrase such as ‘sorry but we agreed’ is a softer approach and can leave room for negotiation. Colloby, J. et al (2012 p. 69) illustrate Diane taking the soft approach of ‘if you do not feel like it, you do not need to do it’. The tone in which words are said can also play a part, for example when I was a child I knew when I had done wrong by the tone in which my parents spoke to me and associated the word ‘no’ or shouting as a negative thing. Where as when my parents used softer words and a lower tone of voice I associated it with positive things. If Cara and Alister get a little annoyed with Thomas not always wanting to do his exercises, their tone of voice, body language and use of words may make him think he is in trouble and not want to do exercises again as he associates them with being shouted at. 4
Parents and Key people may use different methods of ways to encourage good behavior and discourage bad behavior. The use of reward charts are one example of this, using them to associate certain behavior with good outcomes so good behavior will be repeated. Colloby et al (2012 p. 68) suggest that their has been increasing criticism of behavioral strategies with children, primarily on the basis that the benefits are short-lived. A child may loose interest in the reward chart if they do not get their sticker they believe to have earned resulting in their behavior not improving for long periods of time, Although some parents find using the reward system as having a positive effect and are still commonly used today. Time out is a system used to discourage bad behavior, the system usually involves the child being put in a certain place IE: on a step for a certain amount of time. I have seen family members use this system on their children and have seen that this system can work as effectively as using a system to encourage good behavior. Not only has the child been ‘punished’ for their bad behavior, but the parents also have time to not get annoyed with their child and discuss the reason as to why they put their child in ‘time out’.

In conclusion, I feel that an authoritative approach to child behavior is not necessarily the best parenting style, however, evidence suggests that there is no right or wrong parenting style, and therefore every parent and key person use which ever method suits them and which ever style they find that has the most positive impact on their child’s behavior. There are many factors that impact on behavioral issues, but they can all vary depending on personal 5 circumstances and situations. Word count: 1100