Authoritarian vs. Authoritative parents. These two types of parenting styles can affect a child in many ways. Authoritarian parents are stern and strict. So says Leslie DeJong in her Wellness Mind article titled “4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Kids.” “It insists on unquestioning obedience and enforces good behavior through threats, shaming, and other punishments,” “she claims.” While Authoritative parents, she continues, “responsive to the child’s emotional needs while having high standards. They set limits and are very consistent in enforcing boundaries.” Authoritarian and Authoritative parents can affect a child positively and negatively.

Authoritarian parents have absolute authority; they demand good behavior and ignore it when it occurs, and the only feedback they offer is punishment for children who fail to listen. Authoritarian parents are genuinely demanding. So says Kendra Cherry in her verywell mind article titled “8 Characteristics of Authoritarian Parenting.” “Authoritarian parents have lots of rules and may even micromanage almost every aspect of their children’s lives and behaviors, at home and in public”, “she claims.” they have way too many rules in their household that their children must follow. Authoritarian parents are hard on their children, give no emotional love to their children, deny them applause, and fail to uplift them.

Authoritarian parents won’t allow their children to make their own choices. Their whole life is basically planned out for them. In short, the children of Authoritarian parents are often both hostile to others and shy, and too often suffer depression.

Now to go into Authoritative parents. Unlike authoritarian parents, these parents listen to their children and want them to express their opinion. Authoritative parents help their children with their feelings and show them how to express it. For example, when their child is angry and starts throwing objects, they don’t only punish them but also explain to them what they are doing is wrong and teach them the right way to handle it. These types of parents consider their child’s feelings.

Having authoritarian parents could be useful in specific ways. I understand these types of parents want their child to follow their rules, but they shouldn’t be overbearing. They should look for a way to combine both Authoritarian and Authoritative parenting styles.

References

Cherry, Kendra. “What Is Authoritarian Parenting?” Verywell Mind, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-authoritarian-parenting-2794955. 

Amy Morin, LCSW. “Strategies That Will Help You Become More Authoritative to Your Kids.” Verywell Family, 26 Oct. 2020, www.verywellfamily.com/ways-to-become-a-more-authoritative-parent-4136329. 

“Authoritarian Parenting: What Happens to the Kids?” Parenting Science – The Science of Child-Rearing and Child Development, www.parentingscience.com/authoritarian-parenting.html. 

Li, Author Pamela. “What Is Authoritative Parenting? [With Examples].” Parenting For Brain, 29 Oct. 2020, www.parentingforbrain.com/authoritative-parenting/.

“4 Types of Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Kids.” Wellness Mind, 14 July 2019, wellnessmind.org/4-types-of-parenting-styles/.