Baumrind's Parenting Styles

Diana Baumrind was a developmental child psychologist, looked at parenting approach and dynamics, not just individual actions
Went from “do’s and don’ts” to overarching effects of parental approach
Influenced and responded to Milgram’s study on authority and corporal punishment
One of first to include fathers
Examined dimensions that had recurred in research on parenting and combined them to describe different parenting styles.
  * Do parents show lots of affection, or remain aloof?
  * Do they expect blind obedience, or encourage children to ask questions?
  * Do they enforce limits, or let kids do as they please?
Looked at 2 main dimensions: acceptance/responsiveness (warmth); demandingness/control (expectations)
Derived 3 main parenting styles, with a fourth added later on by researchers.

Authoritarian (low warmth & high control): parent is typically marked by emphasis on obedience to parental authority.
Authoritative (high warmth & high control): parent expresses warmth and connection while also enforcing limits for the child and setting healthy boundaries.
Permissive (high warmth & low control): marked by high warmth but few rules or demands.
Dismissive/Neglectful (low both in warmth & control): this style was added later by researchers; children left to their own devices; parents may appear indifferent.

When preschool children experience authoritative parenting, they are more likely to become highly competent and well-adjusted adolescents
More socially skilled and exhibit fewer internalizing behaviors such as anxiety and fewer externalizing behaviors such as aggression, impulsivity.
They also have a lower likelihood of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco or being involved with a gang.

Many studies have examined parenting styles using Baumrind’s work across varying countries and cultural contexts.
Recent research has found similar results in families from other cultures and ethnic backgrounds in regard to effects of authoritative parenting.
* In both the original and the current longitudinal research, children raised

with an authoritative style have been found to be more self-reliant, self-
controlled, explorative, and content.

Other research suggests differences across cultural, racial, and ethnic minorities, and questions the impact of authoritarian style across contexts
  * Authoritarian parenting is more widespread in non-Western cultures, and among lower socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnic/racial minority parents in the United States
  * Some aspects of the authoritarian style can have positive, protective factors, for psychosocial development and for academic achievement, in particular
  * Effects of authoritarian style in Middle Eastern parents varied considerably based on the individual dimensions assessed; low levels of harsh and punitive parenting vs. high parental involvement and behavioral control
Permissive parenting has at times shown greater emotional health than even authoritative styles, especially in certain European region