IMPACT ASSIGNMENT 2
Parenting Styles Impact
Introduction
Parenting styles are considered “constellations of parenting characteristics by combining
and crossing the positive and negative poles of parental responsiveness and demandingness”
(Broderick & Blewitt, 2015, p. 180). Essentially, parenting styles are the interaction between
parent and child. The way a parent chooses to interact with their child will create the foundation
for the child’s emotional and socio development. There are four basic parenting styles according
to The Life Span (2015), these are the authoritative style, the authoritarian style, the permissive
style, and the neglected-uninvolved style. Parents with an authoritative style of parenting are
highly demanding and highly responsive. These parents are usually strong with behavioral
control, do not use psychological control, set clear boundaries and standards, and are openly
affectionate with their children. Those with an authoritarian parenting style are highly demanding
and low on responsiveness. Parents that use this style of parenting often exercise both behavioral
and psychological control, use power assertion (involves physical punishment), express little
affection, and communication is typically one sided. Permissive parents are considered
somewhat nurturing and moderately to highly responsive but low on demandingness. Lastly, the
neglecting-uninvolved style is low on both responsiveness and demandingness, neglect the
child’s needs and do not socialize them, can be negative, hostile, and is power assertive. Through
much research the authoritative parenting style has been found to have the most positive
outcomes for children (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015, p. 182).
Parenting styles can differ depending on many contributing factors, such as how many
children, diverse personalities of the child/ren and parent, family structure, and attitudes of the
parents. According to Dr. Mary Joseph and Jilly John (2008) awareness is very important
IMPACT ASSIGNMENT 3
regarding parenting styles in modern parenting and the parenting style needs to adapt to societal
changes. A child’s socio-emotional development is directly influenced by the type of parenting
style used, thus the parenting style used is a vital element in child development. Parenting styles
are directly related to a child’s self-esteem, self- confidence, self-regulation, and self-sufficiency
(Broderick & Blewitt, 2015, p. 190). When a child is raised in a child centered, positive,
responsive, and affirming way they are being shaped into the same type of person.
Developmental Impact
Parenting styles impact individuals through all ages and stages of life but it is primarily
up to the adolescent stage that parenting styles affects the individual’s development. According
to Britto et al. (2017) positive parenting styles “have lifelong benefits for children, including an
increased ability to learn, greater achievement in school, and overall quality of life.” In the same
journal it was found that warm and nurturing parenting “significantly improves childhood
development and even later adult outcomes.” One’s parenting style is fundamentally prompted
by the influence of the style in which they were raised, further showing the impact parenting
styles have on one’s life (Joseph & John, 2008).
The way that parenting styles impact development varies depending upon which style, or
styles, are being used to raise the child. For example, if a child is neglected, or even quite the
opposite and overly indulged, or given little to no guidance then they will be lacking in direction,
become selfish, be unruly, and not be able to learn self-control. On the other hand, if they have
too much parental guidance then they will miss out on vital opportunities to gain confidence,
self-reliance skills, and not be confident in their decision-making capabilities (Joseph & John,
2008). The Life Span (2015) states that research supports a correlation between parenting styles
and self-confidence, self-esteem, self-regulation, and self-sufficiency. The more that a parent is
IMPACT ASSIGNMENT 4
affirming, responsive, positive, and child centered the more likely the child will be skilled in
social interaction and a better developed self-system.
According to some studies parenting styles are important external factors that affect the
development of individuals. One such study examined the effects of parenting styles on
resilience and found there to be a direct correlation (Zakeri, Jowkar & Razmjoee, 2010). In this
study resilience is explained as an individual that is adaptive and an active participant in creating
their environment despite trauma, threatening circumstances, challenges, and stress. The research
found within Parenting Styles and Resilience (2010) results in confirmed influences of parenting
styles on an adolescent’s mental health as well as an impact on the adolescent’s ability to cope
with stress and a likeliness to develop severe emotional and social problems when raised in a
chronically distressed family. Additionally, research has shown that there is a “significant link
between the parental styles and individual’s tendency to engage in delinquent or violent
behavior” (Sarwar, 2016). The same study indicates that the authoritative style of parenting is
recommended and facilitates the best behavior control. Reflecting, both positive and negative
impacts can be seen on a child’s development dependent upon which style is used and what kind
of family the child is raised with.
Faith & Professional Perspectives
It is clear that children gain life perceptions through their parent’s example and it is the
parents responsibility to set positive examples in all vital areas of life, within this responsibility
lies the important formation of the children’s moral and spiritual foundations. Research has
shown that the more parents viewed God as loving then in return children saw the parents as
loving, resulting in viewing God as loving (Seegobin, 2014). In addition, research shows
negative parenting styles and negative parent – child relationships correlate with unhealthy or
IMPACT ASSIGNMENT 5
negative relationships with God and attachment problems. Parents have great responsibility when
it comes to raising children, according to The Parent-Child Relationship (2010) “parents are the
authority figures in children’s lives and are responsible for their physical, emotional, social and
spiritual development.” The Bible portrays that there is great responsibility placed on the parents
in regard to the outcome of their children, this can be seen in Proverbs “Train a child in the way
he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6, New International
Version). Additionally, the Bible gives children certain instructions as well such as to obey and
honor parents. An example of this is “children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother – which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go
well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). In that same
Ephesians passage there are responsibilities for the parent as well when the passage continues
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of
the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). What is learned is that children are a gift from God that parents are
given the responsibility of raising and that a parent’s example goes a long way in teaching a
child.
Human services professionals or social workers that work with families and individuals
experiencing an impact from parenting styles or parent – child relationships should be sure to
have a clear understanding of the different theories and frameworks that encompasses the topics.
These professions would be utilized with the topic can be expected to help with such things as
parenting stress, child development, psychological health of parent and/or child, child neglect
and abuse, and parenting skills. According to Daphne Cain and Terri Combs-Orme (2013) some
of the way in which the profession will work with these individuals is through child welfare
systems, therapy (group or individual) sessions, engaging parents in schools, and interventions.
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There are a multitude of assessments that professionals can utilize to help, these include the
parent – child relationship inventory, the parenting stress index, assessment of parenting style,
inventory of parent and peer attachment, assessment for parental neglect/abuse/mistreatment, and
assessment of religiosity and spirituality (Seegobin, 2014). Most importantly, as stated in Life
Span: Parenting (2013), the profession must address a number of challenges to demonstrate its
effectiveness in enhancing improvement of parenting and thus the lives of the children touched
this way.”
Resources
Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in your Child -
https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Resilient-Children-Fostering-Strength/dp/0809297655
This book offers parents an approach to raising children that can not only cope with
today’s harsh society but be able to survive and thrive in it. The methods help to teach parents
how to encourage the child’s sense of empathy and fortitude in order to successfully handle and
adapt to any of life’s challenges they may face. In short, the authors educate parents on how to
help their child/ren become psychologically strong, resilient individuals. Some of the skills
parents learn to help their children gain include developing responsibility, a social conscience,
problem solving and decision making, changing negative perspectives, and setting realistic
expectations. The parents follow a clear method, outlined by the authors, to assist their child in
developing into a loving, mature, healthy, and happy adult.
The New Strong-Willed Child - https://www.amazon.com/New-Strong-Willed-Child-James-
Dobson/dp/141439134X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523925097&sr=1-
1&keywords=strong+willed+child&dpID=51PbyBD-
%252B1L&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch
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The Strong-Willed Child offers practical advice to parents raising difficult or hard to
handle children. The author includes comprehensive research on many of the topics, which helps
to reinforce what the author is trying to get across. In addition to the research the author includes
stories and lessons learned from his years of family advising experience. Some of the important
issues covered in this book are ADHD, sibling rivalry, low self-esteem, discipling difficult
children, and shaping the child’s will while protecting the spirit. The goal is to learn how to raise
your challenging child into an adult of strong character by guiding them with love,
understanding, and the right kind of discipline.
Partnership for Children of Cumberland County - https://ccpfc.org/business-directory/
The partnership for children of Cumberland county is a nonprofit organization that’s
primary goal is to help children and to make a difference in their lives. This is done in a
multitude of ways. The organization offers help in the areas of basic needs, family support,
health care, fun and recreation, job skills development, literacy programs, mental health,
substance abuse programs, and so much more. In order to help children, the organization helps
parents to better themselves in all areas of their life, such as parenting skills classes, parental
resilience, and support groups among many others. Parents can go to the partnership for children
to learn about their impact on their child’s development and different ways to change it and/or
help the child prosper through it.
IMPACT ASSIGNMENT 8
References
Britto, P. R., Lye, S. J., Proulx, K., Yousafzai, A. K., Matthews, S. G., Vaivada, T., ... &
MacMillan, H. (2017). Nurturing care: promoting early childhood development. The
Lancet, 389(10064), 91-102. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31390-3
Broderick, P. C. & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping
professionals. New York, NY: Pearson.
Cain, D., & Combs-Orme, T. (2013). Life span: Parenting. Encyclopedia of Social Work. DOI:
10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.586
Joseph, M. V. & John, J. (2008). Impact of parenting styles on child development. Global
Academic Society Journal: Social Science Insight, 1(5), 16-25. Retrieved from
http://scholararticles.net/impact-of-parenting-styles-on-child-development/
Sarwar, S. (2016). Influence of parenting style on children's behaviour. Journal of Education and
Educational Development, 3(2). Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?
abstract_id=2882540
Seegobin, W. (2014). The parent-child relationship - Chapter 4. Christianity and developmental
psychopathology: Foundations and approaches (pp.98-119). Westmont, IL: InterVarsity
Press.
http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/gscp_fac/139
Zakeri, H., Jowkar, B., & Razmjoee, M. (2010). Parenting styles and resilience. Procedia-Social
and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 1067-1070. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042810016101
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