Parenting is a very complex task that needs the total involvement of the people concerned. The Baumrind dimensions of parenting explain that parenting involves different styles that must be integrated to help the child develop in all aspects. According to the Baumrind dimensions of parenting, there are at least three parenting styles that if taken individually, would tend to produce different results in the child.
These three parenting styles identified under the Baumrind dimensions of parenting are as follows: authoritarian parenting, authoritative parenting and uninvolved parenting. To get a better picture of the Baumrind dimensions of parenting, let us discuss the parenting styles one by one.
Authoritarian Parenting
According the Baumrind dimensions of parenting, authoritarian parenting is demanding and directive but it is not responsive to the needs of the child. The main focus of the authoritarian parents is on obedience. The parents consider they have a higher status than their children; they tend to exercise authority over their children and expect them to follow without any questions. Since they are the decision-makers in the family, the parents expect their children to follow their direction without the need of any explanations. As a result, the children become blind followers who never think for themselves. Such an attitude of simply going with the flow can stunt the mental and emotional development of the child.
Authoritative Parenting
Unlike the authoritarian parenting style, the authoritative parenting style is demanding yet responsive. According to experts, this type of parenting style is more desirable. Under the Baumrind dimensions of parenting, this parenting style is defined as something that is more supportive rather than punitive. This style of parenting encourages the child to think for him or herself and be more independent.
Uninvolved Parenting
According to the Baumrind dimension of parenting, this is the least desirable of all the parenting style. In uninvolved parenting style, the parents are neither demanding nor responsive. Such indifference on the part of the parents can be very detrimental to the development of the child.
It is hard to pick one style and stick with it as parenting is a very natural phenomenon. However, parents should read about all the different kinds of parenting and see which one reflects them the best? They should analyze whether what they are doing is hurting or helping their child and how they can improve. There is no right or wrong answer in parenting; it comes from your heart and not from textbooks.
