David’s father is a military officer who is very strict. He often imposes extreme disciplinary actions when David stays out too late or does things his father disapproves of. This is an example of what type of parenting? Group of answer choices uninvolved permissive authoritarian authoritative
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is authoritarian parenting.
Authoritarian parenting is characterized by strict rules and expectations, with little room for flexibility or negotiation. In this style of parenting, parents enforce high standards for their children’s behavior, often using punishment to enforce compliance. The key features of authoritarian parenting include:
- High Control and Low Warmth: Parents have strict rules and expect obedience without question. They rarely provide emotional support or nurturing, which makes the environment feel more rigid.
- Punishment Over Discipline: In authoritarian parenting, discipline often comes in the form of punishment. The parent may impose extreme disciplinary actions as a way of controlling the child’s behavior, as seen with David’s father.
- Limited Flexibility: Children are expected to follow rules without exceptions. There’s little room for the child’s input or negotiation regarding the rules or their enforcement.
- Focus on Obedience: The primary goal of authoritarian parenting is to teach children to obey authority and respect rules, often with an emphasis on avoiding punishment rather than learning from mistakes.
In David’s case, his father’s extreme disciplinary actions reflect an authoritarian approach because the focus is on control and obedience, rather than understanding the reasons behind the rules or nurturing the child’s emotional needs. This approach can sometimes lead to resentment or a lack of open communication between parents and children. Research suggests that children raised in authoritarian households may struggle with self-esteem or may become very obedient but lack independent decision-making skills.
In contrast:
- Permissive parenting is characterized by leniency and a lack of enforcement of rules.
- Uninvolved parenting is when the parent is emotionally distant and disengaged from the child’s life.
- Authoritative parenting combines high expectations with emotional support and open communication.
So, David’s father’s behavior fits the authoritarian model due to the strict control and punitive approach.
