Parenting Styles

How a child turns out depends on many factors. One of the most important of these
factors is parenting style. Parenting style is how a parent disciplines and interacts with their child
(Benokraitis 339). Parenting styles vary from patent to parent and depend on factors such as the
personality of the parent, their race/ethnicity, and social-economic status. In general, there are
four styles of parenting. These are authoritarian, uninvolved, permissive, and authoritative
(Benokraitis 339). Each of these styles leads to different outcomes for children.
As noted, parenting styles vary according to, among other factors, social-economic
statuses of the parents. For instance, middle class parents practice concerted cultivation where
they enrol their children in organized activities that are age specific because these activities teach
the children crucial life skills (Lareau 97). Additionally, they also stress the child’s reasoning and
language development (Lareau 97). This type of upbringing brings up individualized and
performance-oriented children (Lareau 97). This approach is different from that practiced by
working class parents. Unlike middle class parents, working class parents do not focus on
developing their children’s capabilities and special talents (Lareau 97). They consider their role
to be complete as long as they are able to provide their children with safety, love, and food
(Lareau 97). Naturally, children of middle class parents are more likely to achieve more in life
than those from working class backgrounds thus perpetuating class positions.
The different parenting styles among different social-economic groups can also be
explained in terms of resources. Simply put, the more resources parents have, the more they are
likely to invest in their children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development (Benokraitis
346). Thus, high and middle income families are more likely to invest in their children’s
language skills development and other important skills that increase chances of their kids having
occupational success (Benokraitis 346). Low social economic status families, on the other hand,
face problems such as unstable marital relationships, poverty, and stress which prevent them
from investing in their children’s development (Steele et al. 32). Thus, children from lower
classes have significantly less chances of occupational success compared to their counterparts
from middle and high social economic status families.
A parent’s social economic status may also influence the type of parenting style that they
use on their children. For instance, authoritarian parenting style is common among low income
families where parents may be in conflict with themselves or are substance abusers. This
parenting style is rigid and demanding. The parent shows little support or warmth to the child but
demands total obedience from the child. To control their children’s behaviors, they often use very
punitive measures (Benokraitis 339). This parenting style creates children who are hyperactive,
belligerent, and irritable. Unlike authoritarian parents, permissive parents are not demanding on
their children. Instead, they are responsive to the needs of their children, warm, and indulgent
(Benokraitis 339). Children brought up by such parents often end up being immature,

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irresponsible, impulsive, and rebellious (Benokraitis 340). Unlike permissive parents who are
responsive to the needs of their children, uninvolved parents are indifferent to their children’s
needs. They are rejecting and spend little time with their children. Children brought up under
such parenting style are often rebellious, underachieving, withdrawn and immature (Benokraitis
140). The last and best parenting style is authoritative. The parents are demanding but also
supportive and responsive to needs of their children. They combine discipline with warmth and
support. Children brought up by such parents have the best outcomes. They are achievement-
oriented, self-reliant, and enjoy good psycho-social development (Benokraitis 140). The
authoritative parenting style is, therefore, the best parenting style of the four types.
In conclusion, a child’s outcome in life depends a lot on how they are nurtured,
particularly by their parents. The parenting styles that are used on them have a major influence
on how they turn out during adolescence and adulthood. Of the four parenting styles considered,
the one with the best outcomes for the children is authoritative.

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Works Cited

Benokraitis, Nijole Vaicaitis. Marriages and families: Changes, choices, and constraints. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2014.
Lareau, Annette. Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life. Univ of California Press,
2011.
Steele, Howard, et al. “Adverse childhood experiences, poverty, and parenting stress.” Canadian
Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement 48.1
(2016): 32.