Over the years, people have scrutinized the various available methods of parenting styles. The goal of finding the most suitable form of parenting is to produce a healthy and functioning individual in society (Rizka and Bacotang 258). One of the most crucial responsibilities of a parent is to guide and educate their children. In the quest to teach children, parents have to decide on the best parenting style that will assist in helping their children to transition into independent and healthy adults in society. The main focus is helping children develop proper and functioning social skills (Rizka and Bacotang 258). According to Rizka and Bacotang, in today’s society, parents emphasize the intellectual achievement of their children and disregard emotional maturity(260). It is with great importance that before a parent decides on the parenting style to use on their children; they consider its effectiveness. Scholars and researchers have conducted studies showing some parenting techniques’ effectiveness and bluntness. Three main parenting styles are discussed in this paper, and we will discover the effectiveness of each. Despite the popularity of the authoritative parenting style among scholars and research stakeholders, the paper seeks to understand whether the parenting style positively correlates to high social competence in children compared to other parenting styles.
According to Batholomeu et al., formative research published in 1967 by Black and Baumrid deduced an undeniable relationship between a child’s competence and adherence concerning the level of intellectual stimulation and motivation in a parent’s choice of upbringing practices (2). This choice of stimulation is referred to as an authoritative parental pattern. The mentioned pattern involves the creation of tension in the form of strict discipline, punitive resolutions, and demands for independence. Further research by Baumrind, as indicated by Bartholomeu et al., observed that different parents in the same household exercised different methods that facilitated comparable results of competence(4). African American fathers preferred the authoritarian parenting route, while mothers implemented firm enforcement of parental practice on their daughters. The research further identified this form of parenting to foster and produce independence, restraint, and dominance in the lives of the affected girls.
Parenting is the instillation of clustered attitudes in a child towards creating a vantage point and an emotional atmosphere through which a parent’s conduct is observed (Bartholomeu et al. 6). The parental behaviors could be goal-oriented or non-goal-oriented, such as facial expression, hand movements, tone, and gestures. Bartholomeu et al. state that academic performance, psychosocial behaviors and level of maturity, and peer interaction are highly influenced by the authoritative form of parenting (2). A study conducted by Patterson, Reid, and Dishion, which was published in 1992, revealed that positive reinforcement in rewarding positive behavior, instilling solution-driven models in children, and attentive responsiveness to children’s needs highly influence and affect the development and articulation of prosocial responses and behaviors ( Bartholomeu et al. 6).
The independence of a child directly correlates with high regard for oneself. The level of self-esteem affects how the child interacts with peers hence are more likely to have better social skills and avoid antisocial behaviors ( Bartholomeu et al. 6). Parenting styles influence and dictate social abilities and behaviors. The interaction between a child and a parent is crucial in aspects such as readiness to attend school, social interactions, and responsive communication. If parents structure their parenting skills per a child’s needs, the benefits mentioned above would be realized. According to Bartholomeu et al., research conducted by Dekovic and Meeus in 2002 concluded that democratic and restrictive parental styles influenced and predicted prosocial attitudes in children (6).
A mother’s parenting technique is essential in dictating a child’s response to external stimuli. The proper and educated technique will act as protective gear in children, especially during adolescence. According to Bartholomeu et al., mothers’ emotional state and responsiveness to their children inform the children how they can respond emotionally, which will determine a child’s emotional maturity (3). The social skills scale concluded that social competence was directly dictated by various identifiable parenting variables (Bartholomeu et al. 2) . Parents who paid attention to their children and responded positively received cooperation from their children compared to those who paid their children less attention.
Research conducted by Aunola and Nurmi in 2005 concluded that behavior problems in children escalated, resulting from the excessive affection and overboard mental control from their mothers (Bartholomeu et al. 4). Behaviour problems in school were lessened by less psychological control from mothers. Social and academic excellence is strengthened by the maternal input facilitated by positive social cooperation instead of antisocial behaviors, which damages the parental support role. Peer interactions are seen as productive in that they help moderate parental interference in mental growth and social interactions. These interactions provide a social environment for healthy socialization and the practice of social behaviors taught at home.
A distinctive difference in social skills compared to social competence in younger children and adolescents is quite observable. The difference is in relation to the number of interactions with different people who play the role of teachers, the amount of time the two groups interact with peers, and less contact with adult supervision(Bartholomeu et al.2).
Socioeconomic and cultural differences have influenced parenting styles for many years. A study by Bornstein concluded that an authoritarian parenting style is highly recommended for a white middle-class nuclear household. However, it warned children from different family and social backgrounds who do not benefit from the same parenting style (Bartholomeu et al. 1) . Social competence is seen as a blend of the authoritarian method, responsiveness, and task/goal-driven style of parenting. Different social contexts specific to cultures may not favor the same parenting styles, producing different results.
Social and demographic factors influence the social competencies of a child and affect the intensity of their behavioral problems. Children of immigrants could be more disoriented when they move to a different country. Depending on their time of adaptation, the intensity of behavioral problems and social interactions change with time. According to Bartholomeu et al., positive parental alertness and emotional stability influence sociability (3). A study by Rinald and Howe in 2012 showed nonlinear co-efficiency in sociability activities in children from different geographical backgrounds (Bartholomeu et al. 4) . Children from different cultures exhibited lower interactions with children born outside the United States of America.
According to Mensah and Kranchie, the authoritative parenting style invokes understanding between the child and the parent, reasoning to resolve a problem, and building consensus and trust, culminating in creating prosocial behavior (n.p). The parents direct the children but explain the reason behind the decision that has been made. The children know the rules put in place by the parents and why the rules were made. According to Jordan et al., parents have authority over their children. However, the children have the right to understand the reasoning behind the decisions made for them or in the household. Authoritative parents encourage conformity and discipline. The parenting style aims to produce individuals who will have ease while joining society once they become an adult.
According to Jordan et al., the authoritarian style involves physical, mental, and verbal abuse, tough rules, threats, neglect, and force (80). The style expresses minimum emotional support and is warm. Parents force their children into submission. The goal of the style is to force obedience to rules and orders on the parents. The decisions made in the household are mostly not explained and can not be questioned or challenged (Jordan et al. 81) . In the long run, children develop challenges while trying to solve problems, for they have not been encouraged to do so from a young age at home.
Parents’ level of education directly influences their children’s academic performance. According to Mensah and Kuranchie, educated parents, more often than not, were their children to get educated and maintain their status in society(n.p). Parents focus on things and attributes they are most interested in, which inform their parenting style. In this regard, children from less educated backgrounds have poor academic results compared to those from very educated backgrounds. According to Mensah and Kuranchie, the behavior is majorly attributed to the time and resources parents put into their children’s education(n.p).
According to Jordan et al., permissive parenting involves low demands, strictness, and high emotional warmth and support (79). The children exposed to the technique show a high level of dependency though they seem aggressive. The affected kids seemed immature when compared to their peers. Compared to peers, the group showed traits of antisocial behavior and impulsiveness. They were noted to be low achievers( Jordan et al . 80). The parenting style tends to involve fewer punishments to no punishment, and parents are more accepting of a child’s behavior. Permissive parenting encourages kids to act on their impulses no matter how inappropriate or unacceptable they are and is not encouraged them to obey external authorities. According to Jordan et al., parents reserve the right to the regulation behavior of their kids(81). The children are left to be their authority and can do what they want from a young age. Children in families where this parenting is practiced are given few to zero chores at home. The parents do not take on the active role of shaping the child’s behavior.
The environment the child is raised in affects their behavior. According to Sartika et al., marital stability affects a child’s behavior (24). If the parent is not careful and intentional about creating a healthy environment for the child, the parenting style might not be effective. A study conducted by Katsura and Hosokawa in 2017 discovered a relationship between children’s mental health between five and six years and the economic challenges at home ( Sartika et al. 21). The mental struggles challenged the children’s adaptation to society and interactions with peers. Marital problems create internal and external dispositions in a child. Internal dispositions include; anxiety, depression, and esteem issues. External dispositions include; delinquency, behavior problems, and aggression( Sartika et al.24) . According to Sartika et al ., children of single mothers experienced high tendencies of emotional imbalance compared to those where both parents are present(21).
In a research conducted by Yao et al. (n.p) in China, studying the impact of the different parenting styles on undergraduate students, they saw that male students had better student-faculty performance than female students. The study further reviewed that male students had higher emotional stability and had been overprotected by their parents. The research reveals the significance of combining an overprotective parenting style and warmth. It was observed that undergraduate students from overprotective families suffered academically and suffered poor emotional regulation (Yao et al .n.p). The study concluded by identifying the vital role of the parenting style in determining the student-faculty relation and interaction. The difference in female and male upbringing was observed to influence their emotional regulation, which affected their performances. Although parenting style was discovered to influence academic achievement, student-teacher relations also implied how students performed irrespective of their gender (Yao et al. n.p).
Parents have a vital role in shaping society while shaping their children’s behaviors. In the paper, extreme measures of authoritarian and permissive parenting have serious negative implications resulting in behavior problems. Authoritative parenting skill has combined the two extreme parenting skills and, as evidenced in the reproduced, mentally healthy children. It is, therefore, with no doubt that the parenting style positively correlates to high social competence in children compared to other parenting styles.
Works Cited
Bartholomeu, Daniel, et al. “Predictive power of parenting styles on children’s social skills: A Brazilian sample.” Sage Open 6.2,2016, pp.1–8: 2158244016638393. Accessed 20 April 2023.
Jordan, Patrick, et al. “Parenting Style and Social Skills Developed among the Senior High School Grade 12 Students in Zone IV, Schools Division of Zambales.” EAS Journal of Humanities and Cultural Studies 3.2,2021, pp.79-84 https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Parenting-Style-and-Social-Skills-Developed-among-Paz-Farin/f76ad5616c752fdc634f1e73b378b8e7f62f16c6. Accessed 20 April 2023.
Mensah, Monica Konnie, and Alfred Kuranchie. “Influence of parenting styles on the social development of children.” Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 2.3, 2013: 123. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285898140_Influence_of_Parenting_Styles_on_the_Social_Development_of_Children . Accessed 20 April 2023.
Rizka, Sitti Muliya, and Juppri Bin Bacotang. “The relationship between parenting styles and children’s social skills.” International conference on early childhood education. 2019. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335960333_The_Relationship_between_Parenting_Styles_and_Children’s_Social_Skills .Accessed 20 April 2023.
Sartika, Rini, et al . “Factors that affect the cognitive and mental-emotional development of children: A scoping review .” Journal of Health Technology Assessment in Midwifery .4(1), March 2021, pp. 21–36. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352161060_Factors_that_affect_cognitive_and_mental_emotional_development_of_children_a_scoping_review . Accessed 20 April 2023.
Yao, Hao, et al . “The Impact of Parenting Styles on Undergraduate Students’ Emotion Regulation: The Mediating Role of Academic-Social Student-Faculty Interaction.”Frontiers in Psychology, vol.13. 7,2022 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.972006/full.Accessed 20 April 2023.
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