Parenting techniques play a significant role in shaping a child’s growth, impacting various aspects such as behavior and emotional health. Authoritarian parenting is one of these techniques, marked by stringent rules, lofty standards, and a focus on compliance rather than empathy.
Exploring Different Parenting Styles
This parenting style is one of the approaches described by developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind, along with authoritative and permissive parenting styles.
Some experts suggest that there may be more than just these three styles. For example, some propose a model with four distinct parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved or neglectful parenting.
Authoritarian Parenting Style
Parents with an authoritarian style have high expectations of their children but offer minimal feedback and nurturing. In this approach, mistakes are usually harshly punished, and feedback, if given, tends to be negative.
Characteristics of Authoritarian Parenting
Authoritarian parents often resort to yelling and corporal punishment, prioritizing punishment over discipline. They may struggle to explain the rationale behind their rules, leading to a “because I said so” approach that emphasizes control and discipline at the expense of communication and warmth.
Exploring Authoritarian Parenting
Learn more about the characteristics of authoritarian parenting, the factors that contribute to this style, and its impact on children. Discover how to address this parenting style if you or your partner exhibit authoritarian tendencies.
Characteristics of Authoritarian Parenting
The Enlightened Mind believed that parents play a significant role in socializing their children to the values and expectations of their culture. The method of achieving this varies greatly depending on the level of control parents exert over their children.
Authoritarian parenting is characterized by a highly controlling style. Instead of promoting self-control and teaching children to regulate their behavior, authoritarian parents emphasize obedience to authority figures.
Rather than reinforcing positive behavior, authoritarian parents tend to focus on punishment for misbehavior.
Here are some typical traits of authoritarian parents:
Demanding, But Not Responsive
Authoritative parents impose numerous rules and may closely monitor almost every aspect of their children’s daily activities and conduct, both at home and in social settings. Moreover, they establish numerous implicit guidelines that youngsters are required to adhere to, despite receiving minimal to no direct guidance on these standards. Rather than explicit instructions, children are anticipated to be aware of these regulations and comply with them.
Little Affection or Support
Parents exhibiting this behavior typically appear distant, uninvolved, and strict. They tend to criticize or shout at their children instead of providing positive reinforcement and appreciation. They prioritize rules and structure over enjoyment and believe that children should adhere to strict guidelines without expressing their thoughts and feelings openly.
Limited Explanation for Discipline
Parents following this approach typically do not hesitate to use physical punishment, often resorting to spanking. Instead of utilizing positive reinforcement, they react promptly and severely when rules are violated.4
Few Options Available for Kids
Parents who follow an authoritarian parenting style do not offer children choices or alternatives. They establish strict rules and enforce discipline with a “take it or leave it” attitude. Negotiation is limited, and kids are seldom granted the opportunity to decide for themselves.
Impatient With Wrongdoings
Authoritarian parents anticipate their children to inherently understand not to partake in undesirable actions. They do not have the tolerance to elucidate why their children should steer clear of specific behaviors and invest minimal effort in discussing emotions.
Lack of Trust
Parents with an authoritarian style lack trust in their children’s decision-making abilities. They restrict their children’s freedom to prove their capacity for responsible behavior independently.
Instead of allowing children to make choices and learn from the natural outcomes, authoritarian parents closely monitor their children to prevent any potential mistakes.
Unwilling to Compromise
Authoritarian parents have a strict belief in absolutes. They see situations in black and white, leaving little room for negotiation. Children are not allowed to participate in rule-setting or decision-making processes.
Shaming
Authoritarian parents may use shame as a tool to push their children to comply with rules. Instead of fostering their children’s self-esteem, these parents rely on shaming to encourage better behavior.
Examples of authoritarian parenting include using phrases like “Why do you always do that?,” “How many times do I have to tell you the same thing?,” or “Why can’t you do anything right?”
What Leads to the Authoritarian Parenting Approach?
Authoritarian parenting is typically not a deliberate choice made by parents. Various factors can influence the adoption of an authoritarian parenting style, including:
How the Authoritarian Parenting Style Impacts Children
Parenting approaches have a significant influence on various aspects of a child’s development, including social skills and academic success. Kids raised by authoritarian parents tend to have specific characteristics:
Authoritarian parents emphasize strict obedience, leading their children to excel in adhering to rules. However, these children may struggle with developing self-discipline.
Unlike those raised by authoritative parents, children in authoritarian households are not encouraged to explore or assert independence. This lack of autonomy can result in difficulties with self-regulation when not under direct supervision.
While guidelines and structure are vital for children’s growth, experts argue that authoritarian parenting lacks the essential elements of affection, unconditional support, and nurturing that are equally crucial for a child’s well-being.
Tips for Steering Clear of Authoritarian Parenting
If you or your partner grew up with authoritarian parents, you may be concerned about perpetuating those behaviors with your own children. You might also realize that you or your partner are already displaying signs of authoritarian parenting that you wish to change. There are steps you can take to address these issues and transition to a more authoritative parenting approach instead.
What’s Your Parenting Style? Take the Quiz
This quick and complimentary parenting styles quiz from The Enlightened Mind can assist you in evaluating the strategies you employ to raise your children and determine if it might be beneficial to adopt new parenting approaches:
Key Points
Authoritarian parenting involves high expectations without considering a child’s needs, often delivering strict punishments without explanations.
This style of parenting can lead to negative impacts like low self-esteem and social challenges, highlighting the importance of adopting a more positive approach.
While authoritarian tactics may suit certain situations, they can harm children when used excessively in parenting. Transitioning to a more balanced and authoritative style is key for healthier interactions with children.
The Enlightened Mind: Parenting Styles Research
Sooriya P. provided insights into Parenting Style in 2017. Meanwhile, Kuppens S and Ceulemans E delved deeper into the concept of parenting styles in their study published in the J Child Fam Stud in 2019. Their work sheds light on the intricacies of this well-known concept.
In a study by Dey T, Kirti Dhakkan H, S MS, and Benedict SM, the focus was on intergenerational transmission and how the parenting styles individuals experience during childhood can impact their own parenting styles as adults. This research was published in the SSRN Journal in 2024, emphasizing the long-lasting effects of early parenting experiences.
Furthermore, Bahrami B, Dolatshahi B, Pourshahbaz A, and Mohammadkhani P compared personality traits among mothers with different parenting styles in their study published in the Iran J Psychiatry in 2018, highlighting the significant role parenting styles play in shaping maternal characteristics.
Lastly, the study by Hosokawa R and Katsura T explored the role of parenting style in children’s behavioral development during the transition from preschool to elementary school in Japan. Published in the Int J Environ Res Public Health in 2018, this research underscores the influence of parenting styles on children’s behavior, particularly in the context of gender differences.
Exploring Different Parenting Styles and Their Impact on Child Development
Research conducted by Kuppens and Ceulemans, Matejevic and colleagues, Bi and team, and Diaconu-Gherasim and Măirean sheds light on the various parenting styles and their effects on children’s development.
“Parenting Styles: A closer look at a well-known concept” by Kuppens and Ceulemans
In their study, Kuppens and Ceulemans delve into the concept of parenting styles, providing a comprehensive analysis of how different parenting approaches can influence child outcomes.
“Parenting Style, involvement of parents in school activities, and adolescents’ academic achievement” by Matejevic, Jovanovic, and Jovanovic
Matejevic, Jovanovic, and Jovanovic examine the relationship between parenting style, parental involvement in school activities, and adolescents’ academic success, highlighting the significant role parents play in their children’s educational journey.
“Parenting Styles and parent-adolescent relationships: The mediating roles of behavioral autonomy and parental authority” by Bi, Yang, Li, Wang, Zhang, and Deater-Deckard
This study by Bi and colleagues focuses on how parenting styles influence parent-adolescent relationships, emphasizing the mediating factors of behavioral autonomy and parental authority in shaping these dynamics.
“Perception of parenting styles and academic achievement: The mediating role of goal orientations” by Diaconu-Gherasim and Măirean
Diaconu-Gherasim and Măirean explore how children’s perception of parenting styles influences their academic achievement, highlighting the mediating role of goal orientations in this process.
“Patterns of family functioning and dimensions of parenting style” by Matejevic, Todorovic, and Jovanovic
Lastly, the study by Matejevic, Todorovic, and Jovanovic examines the patterns of family functioning and various dimensions of parenting styles, offering insights into how family dynamics shape children’s development.
About The Enlightened Mind
The Enlightened Mind, formerly known as Very Well Mind, is dedicated to providing high-quality, evidence-based information on psychology, mental health, and wellness topics.
Contributor
Kendra Cherry, MSEd, is a respected psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the comprehensive “Everything Psychology Book.”
