In Psychology class, we recently discussed the four types of parenting styles. After learning a little about each one, I wanted tot further analyze the Authoritarian style of parenting. Authoritarian parenting is when a parent forces their child to listen to them by ruling their household with a very strict, firm hand. Growing up, my parents used the authoritative style of parenting, which is when parents establish rules and guidelines but use constructive criticism and explain to their children what they did wrong when they act out in a bad manner. Authoritative also has an element of compromise, where the parents will listen to how the children feel and work to help them be better. Because I grew up in this parenting style, the authoritarian stye of parenting fascinates me in that I cannot imagine having parents who were not responsive to me, and it makes me curious as to how this effects the children. I personally would despise my parents and probably feel as though they did not care about me.

Diana Baumrind completed an observational study that consisted of more than 100 preschool aged children in which she observed their behaviors and completed parental interviews. From this study, she was able to conclude that there are four important elements of parenting: communication styles, warmth and nurturance, expectations of maturity and control, and disciplinary strategies. In specific, Baumrind found that authoritarian parenting generally results in well mannered and proficient, but they lack self-worth, esteem and happiness, as well as social skills. In comparison, authoritative parenting typically results in happy, confident, and successful children.

Baumrind also concluded further that the authoritarian approach, being strict, lacks the emotional and nurturing aspects of a healthy relationship and involves a high level of control over the children, to the point where it affects their ability to think for themselves. There is a lack of communication, another important element of parenting, and immediate punishment is the result of the breaking of rules. In her observations, Baumrind saw that spanking and yelling were typical punishments, as these children were preschool aged.

A report written by Matthew J. Miller, a Doctor of Psychology, further examines Baumrind’s study and discusses the authoritarian parenting style and it’s effects on children in more depth. The driving force behind this parenting style, he explains, is the development of fear within the children. Fear of failure to comply and of failure and punishment. Parents hold back emotions, causing children to feel unloved, and punishments can be unnecessarily excessive. Because the kids are obedient and compliant, the parents believe that their strategies of parenting are effective, but meanwhile their children feel alone because they feel they cannot go to their parents to seek guidance. People seek guidance from those they love and respect, so authoritarian children look elsewhere.

Socially, Miller explains that independence is discouraged. This results in the inability to become a leader, and make their own decisions, because they are punished if they do. They are emotionally dependent on others, and have a low self esteem. Because these children are unable to control their own lives, they develop feelings of helplessness. Interestingly, Miller addresses the issue of anger, and how most of these kids suffer from anger issues because they have no say over their lives and act out in passive (inward) or aggressive rebellions. Anxiety is also prevalent within their lives.

After reading and meditating on this report, both the feelings of anxiety and helplessness that authoritarian parented children experience stood out to me, as they are both symptoms of depression. In the study entitled, “Learned Helplessness in Children: A Longitudinal Study of Depression, Achievement, and Explanatory Style,” 168 school children were measured over the course of a year, five times each. The results showed that students who were not provided with adequate explanations of concepts was linked to higher concurrent levels of depression and even higher levels of depression while taking tests. Therefore, it was the lack of proper explanations causing depression; authoritarian-parented children also lack proper explanations and are put in high stress situations and more prone to depression for these reasons as well.

In conclusion, from the research completed, the authoritarian parenting style appears to cause many issues among the children subjected to it. It is very different from the authoritative parenting style, that offers kids fair explanations for why they are receiving punishment, and the  punishments are not over-the-top or excessive. Authoritarian parenting causes children to have low self-esteems, feel alone without direction, lack nurturing, develop anxiety that can lead to depression, and create social problems. I found this topic fascinating to study and see just how powerful the effects parents can have on their children; in class we are often told correlation does not equal causation, but in this case, the correlation between the parenting styles and kids living with these negative effects is due to the direct cause of the parents choice of disciplinary actions. This does not go to say that there is not a third variable or outside sources do not contribute to the feelings and anxiety kids develop, such as peer pressure in school or many other possibilities. However the multiple studies all showing similar results provide enough information to limit the possibility of chance. I am thankful that my parents did not implement this authoritarian parenting style within their household and that they let me speak my mind at times and listened to what I had to say. Because of this, I can now confide in them and go to them with any issues or questions I have.

Sources:

http://psychology.about.com/od/developmentalpsychology/a/parenting-style.htm

http://www.the-positive-parenting-centre.com/authoritarian_parenting_style.html

Click to access Authoritarian.pdf

Click to access Nolen-Hoeksema_S.pdf