Notes on Parenting Approaches (Chapter 2)
The Parenting Relationship
The parent–child relationship is the foundation of parenting. It is dynamic and evolves as both parents and children grow and transition through lifespan stages. Parenting programs reflect shifts in psychology and human development, moving from strict authoritarian approaches to more democratic relationships and incorporating counseling-style communication principles.
Parents as Teachers
Parents are responsible for instilling values and attitudes that guide children toward autonomy and adulthood. Parental competency is required to appropriately guide children toward adulthood. Strategies and parenting styles focus on meeting emotional needs and supporting character development in both parents and children.
Appropriate Discipline
Discipline is a form of guiding behavior in which parents shape a child’s conduct. Appropriate discipline should include encouragement, positive messages, and nurture to guide children toward socialization, skill development, and autonomy. Effective discipline should be moderate, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to the child’s individual needs and personality. The parenting process involves ebb-and-flow in the parent–child relationship and must remain mutually respectful and constructive.
Corporal Punishment
Corporal punishment is discipline that uses physical force to control a child and inflict pain, often accompanied by emotional humiliation. It can cause injury or permanent harm, especially if inflicted in anger by someone stronger than the child. Corporal punishment is unlawful or not formally sanctioned in virtually all U.S. states and most Western countries. Children who experience corporal punishment are more likely to display aggressive behavior and destructive parenting in adulthood, and it has been linked to patterns of dating coercion and intimate partner violence (IPV).
Parenting Styles
Authoritative: high nurture and high structure; focuses on the child’s strengths and autonomy within developmentally appropriate boundaries; most favored.
Authoritarian: high structure, low nurture; control and traditional methods.
Permissive: high nurture, low structure; avoids excessive control and allows self-regulation.
Uninvolved: low nurture, low structure; emotionally absent or disengaged; possible neglect.
The Parenting Circumplex Model
The model shows the dynamic interplay between structure and nurture, including context and intensity of the interaction. Closer to the center indicates stronger intensity. During transitions or crises, nurture–structure dynamics can intensify. Generally, parenting becomes more authoritative before adolescence and tends to move toward greater permissiveness as children mature and gain autonomy.
Parenting Practices in Context
Each parent–child relationship differs by context and dynamics. Child-rearing approaches are most effective when assessed within context. Parents develop strategies and rules to promote good outcomes, teach social complexities, and convey personal values and ethics.
Parenting Approaches and Theoretical Frameworks (1 of 2)
Behavior modification and cognitive-behavioral techniques can reliably elicit desired behaviors, using reinforcement that is timely and context-appropriate. Social learning theory emphasizes modeling and observation, with parents and teachers as role models.
Parenting Approaches and Theoretical Frameworks (2 of 2)
Counseling-inspired techniques include bidirectional communication, active listening, “I” messages, and mutual respect during conflict resolution to model constructive interaction.
Positive Parental Discipline
Positive approaches are preferable to punitive ones, though context may limit full positivity. Structure and boundaries support self-regulation. Inevitable or toxic parenting can be destructive and may be transmitted across generations. Different backgrounds and contexts expose children to diverse socialization experiences, shaping behavior.