Running Head: IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES
Impact of Parenting Styles on Children
During pregnancy, a child genome is derived from each of its parents chromosomal DNA
makeup. The female egg and male sperm fuse into a zygote. As the zygote continues to develop
it begins to produce an embryo, fetus which in turn produces into a baby (Broderick, 2015). The
genetic DNA makeup of the child becomes prevalent on the characteristic influences throughout
the child’s growth. The DNA determines eye color, hair color, physical features and
temperamental characteristics of the child. Upon the child’s birth, the parent is the environment
of survival and interactions for the child. This interaction develops a child’s sense in the world.
Human Service professionals come in contact with various parent-child relationships
which are encompassed with an array of parenting styles. Parenting styles are established early
on in childhood beginning in post infancy (Broderick, 2015). Within post infancy, a positive
emotional environment or a negative emotional environment is created that attributes to the
child’s characteristics. Parenting styles has the greatest impact on the development of children
because the parental figure is the initial environment that a child forms supportive or non-
supportive bonds. There are multiple parts encompassed to the beginning continuum in which a
child is reared. The parental focus is either child centered, parent centered or parent-child
centered. Parent centered focus can show little concern for the child because the child needs does
not align with their own needs (Broderick, 2015). This can intertwine with a parent who neglects
a child’s basic necessities and be insensitive to needs which reduces the likelihood of a positive,
social attachment early on in infancy. Child centered focus develops a positive, secure and
supportive attachment in early infancy stage (Broderick, 2015). This interaction develops a
positive and thriving atmosphere for a child in which their necessities are being met. A parent-
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Running Head: IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES
child centered relationship creates a balance that meets the parents and the child’s needs. This
environment promotes positive responses within both the parent and the child.
Once a relationship between the parent and child begins to be established, parenting
styles exhibit in four different ways such as Authoritative, Permissive, Neglecting-Uninvolved
and Authoritarian. Parenting styles create a degree of ways for a parent to learn to manage a
child’s behavior, learn control and assist in the cognitive, emotional and social development of
the child. An Authoritative parent envelopes their child in a positive, supportive and high
demanding environment (Broderick, 2015). Within this environment a child can present
abnormal maturity that exceeds their age, due to the high demands of the parent. Within this
atmosphere the parent creates opportunity, sets parental limits, rules and guidelines to promote
sustainability for positive development for the child. A child gets a sense of value, learns
responsibility and understand different viewpoints (Baumrind, 2003). Children reared in an
Authoritative household will most likely thrive socially and emotionally when engaging others.
Socially, the child is less likely to be affected by others opinion and make mature decisions
against different peer pressure (Collins, et al., 2000). The parent asserts self-will and disciplined
conformity. They exert control when necessary but also does not restrict development of
independence. Parents religious beliefs have shown to correlate with positive parenting and
better child development (Mahoney, et. al., 2001). The family morals, beliefs and values opens a
forum for discussions, warmth and independence.
The Permissive parent exhibits less demands on their child and requires limited
accountability for actions. The Permissive parent can be warm but has limited responsibilities,
rules and guidelines for the child. The parent can be indulgent and passive in their parenting and
show love through gift giving. It creates an environment where the child is given request in
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Running Head: IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES
hopes not disappoint the child (Baumrind, 2003). The setting creates limited boundaries, rules
which decrease the likelihood of earning consequences. The parent consults the child in decision
making and gives explanations for family rules. The parent also avoids defining standards and
uses reason, coupled with manipulation to gain compliance. The child regulates own activities
and decisions. This child will show behaviors that can be aggressive and the Permissive parent
will not exercise any restraint or control for the child’s behaviors. Also, can result in
uncontrolled, impulsivity, egocentric, aggression and poor development of social skills.
The Neglectful-Uninvolved parent shows minimal affection, support and demands on the
child. The parent makes decisions without considering the child’s input and generally does not
want to be bothered by the child. This can increase negative socialization skills and cause the
child to have self-esteem issues, along with other behavioral problems. In turn, the child can also
develop externalized behavioral issues, such as impulsivity, along with internal behaviors such as
depression and anxieties.
Lastly, the Authoritarian parent shows increased control but has one sided demands, lack
support and affection towards the child. This parents creates intense pressure which can cause a
child to alienate and distance themselves from religion due to the parental demands (Mahoney,
et. al., 2001). The Authoritarian parent creates a strict, restrictive and punitive style environment
that assume the child should follow without discussion. The Authoritarian requires obedience and
will result to forceful measures to gain the desired actions. A child is unable to give or make
decisions and has to accept the commands that are given. The discipline can be physical or
withdrawal from privileges that promotes the parents dominance of power above the child’s. This
parent can cause emotional problems and negative communication skills when the child is
interacting in other environments (Miller, 2010).
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Running Head: IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES
In conclusion, The various parenting styles are the initial basis that contributes to a
child’s maturity level, positive support, interactions and demands that develops a child’s
characteristics. There represents a correlation of interactions that begin with the parental
influence and is molded within their external environment. Conversely, Human Service
professionals have to gain an understand of the various parental styles and how they contribute to
the learned behaviors, aid development, and outcomes of the child. Also, Human Service
professionals have to learn to differentiate if the parenting styles and religion align. Parenting
styles have a massive effect on child’s temperament to produce independence and understanding
of self when the adult is not present. Parents create the initial environment to mentor children in
a safe, warm and healthy environment that can promote positive behaviors. Therefore,
understanding the correlation between parent-child relationships encompassed in a mixture of
parenting styles early on will assist a child and the helping professional in promoting positive
emotional, social and cognitive development, within the environment.
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Running Head: IMPACT OF PARENTING STYLES
References
Baumrind, D. (2003). Effects of authoritative parental control on child behavior. National
Institute of Mental Health. 889-891.
Broderick, P.C & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping
Professionals. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson.
Collins, W.A, Maccoby, E.E, Steinburg, L., Hetherington, EM., & Bornstein, M.H. (2000).
Contemporary research on parenting: The case for nature and nurture. American Psychologist,
55 (2), 218-232.
Mahoney, A., Pargament, K. Tarakeshwar, N. , & Swank, A. (2001). Religion in the home in the
1980s and 1990s: A meta-analysis review and conceptual analysis of links between religion ,
marriage and parenting. Journal of Family Psychology, 15(4), 556-559.
Miller, M.J. (2010). Authoritarian parenting: The impact on children. The Center for Christian
Counseling and Relationship Development, LLC. Marlton, NJ.
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