Running head: PARENTING STYLES

Authoritative, Permissive and Neglectful Parenting Styles in the United States

Keendra D. Hooker
The University of Memphis

PARENTING STYLES

Authoritative, Permissive and Neglectful Parenting Styles in the United States

Parenting styles are the way parents raise children and the outcome of the child.
Parenting styles have a strong influence on the child and it makes a great impact on the childs
development. Parenting styles can come from family traditions, standards, etc. Baurmind
developed three different parenting styles which are authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive.
Years later, Maccoby and Martin developed neglectful parenting style. All of these styles differ
tremendously and the outcome of the child differs tremendously as well. All four parenting styles
are also determined by a ratio of high or low responsiveness and demandingness. Responsiveness
is the way the parent acknowledges the childs needs. Demandingness is the way the parent
demands things from the child such as maturity and good behaviors. As stated all four groups are
completely different from one another. Parenting styles are practiced everywhere throughout the
world, but how are they practiced in the United States? And how do they compare to other
countries, such as India? Authoritative, permissive and neglectful parenting styles have different
perspectives, traditions and outcomes.
Authoritative parenting style would be considered the preferred or approved style.
This parenting style has a ratio of high responsiveness x high demandingness. So what is an
authoritative parent? An authoritative parent sets high standards for their child and they make
sure their child can accomplish those standards. They are there for the child physically, mentally
and emotionally. Not only does the child listen to the parent, but the parent listens to the child as
well. Authoritative parents provide their child with freedom, however they still discipline and
punish their child when necessary. Authoritative parenting provides verbal, rather than physical,
reasoning and focuses on the respect collectively between both the parent and the child and

PARENTING STYLES
believes in the childs freedom and own comfort (Windsor et al., 2015). But how do the United
States observers view the authoritative parents? U.S participants considered authoritative
parenting more productive while the Indian participants consider permissive parenting more
productive (Barnhart et al., 2013). Authoritative parents provide rules and regulations, while still
providing and motivating their child to have freedom. Although they have the high authority,
they also provide affection and hold their child to a high standard (Barnhart et al., 2013).
Students in the U.S. also believe that authoritative parenting is more efficient, beneficial and
favorable, however Indians disagree (Barnhart et al., 2013). Gender also played a major role in
this observation as well. Females believe that authoritative parents display being more
productive than males (Barnhart et al., 2013). Females in the U.S.A also believed that
authoritative parents are more productive, however males believed permissive is a much better
parenting style (Barnhart et al., 2013). The U.S. participants and the Indian participants did have
one thing in common. The both believed that authoritative parenting was related to their parents
and these are the parents they intend to be (Banhart et al., 2013). So what is the outcome of
children raised by authoritative parents? Authoritative parenting is classified as a greater
psychological prosperity and advantage with little to any depressing symptoms and less
substance abuse (Rothrauff et al., 2009). Many believe that there are more beneficial outcomes
for these children. They have a better chance of having a great academic career. Not to mention,
they are less likely to have any major dysfunctions.
Permissive parenting style is considered the giving parent. This parenting style has a
ratio of high responsiveness x low demandingness. These parents participate in the child life,
however they have little to any control or authority on the child. A permissive parent is very
lenient on the child. These parents also rarely discipline or punish their child. While authoritative

PARENTING STYLES
parents set high standards and rules, permissive parents have little to any rules. These parents are
more of a friend to their child versus a guardian. These children tend to get what they want and
they usually lack self-control. Not to mention, permissive parents do not motivate or encourage
their child to do well academically or socially. As stated previously, U.S. participants prefer
authoritative parents, however, Indian students believe that permissive is the much better
parenting style (Barnhart et al., 2013). So what is the outcome of these children? The outcome is
slightly negative. These students will more than likely receive bad conduct in school and their
grades are more likely to decrease. These children are also more likely to participate in alcohol
abuse.
Authoritative parents set high standards and what their child to accomplish their goals.
Permissive parents are there physically and support the child however, with little to any
demands. But what about a neglectful parent? Neglectful parent would be considered the
indifferent or uninterested parent. This style of parenting has a ratio of low responsiveness x low
demandingness. The neglectful parent keeps their distance from their child and is simply not
there for them. They do not care what the child does. Unlike authoritative parents, neglectful
parents are not there physically, mentally or emotionally. While authoritative parents show love,
support and affection, neglectful parents show little to any love, support or affection. Because
they do not care what the child does, the child is seeking attention anywhere else. A neglectful
parent does not provide any control over the child nor do they give the child their needs.
Therefore, the child is left to take care of themselves. Neglected children would be classified as
having lower psychological prosperity, with more depressing issues. (Rothrauff et al., 2009).
These children also tend to be very lonely due to their parents nonchalant actions. So what is the
outcome of these children raised by neglectful parents? Because these children are begging for

PARENTING STYLES
attention, they tend to act out. As a result, they are than likely to have poor conduct and poor
grades.
As shown in this essay, all parenting styles are completely different. Most of these
parenting styles have pros and cons. However, certain parenting styles have all pros or all cons.
All four types are very important to understand and consider when raising children. These
parenting styles can really have a strong effect on the outcome of the child. It is best for the
parent to demonstrate the best parenting style they can for their child. Being an authoritative
parent is really beneficial because the parent provide both high responsiveness and high
demandingness. More beneficial outcomes for children that had authoritative parents (Rothrauff,
T., Cooney, An, J., 2009). When thinking about a permissive parent, the parent is really giving
and very lenient on the child. However, the parent does not really demand anything from the
child. This child is usually able to do whatever they want. Therefore, the outcome is slightly
negative. These children are very courageous however, they have little to any self-control. They
are more than likely to receive bad conduct and bad grades. And last, the neglectful parent. This
parent provides low responsiveness and low demandingness. This parent does not care what the
child does. Therefore, they seek attention anywhere the can. The outcome of the child is
negative. The child also receives poor grades and conduct. So as seen, it is important to take
these parenting styles into consideration because they can have a strong effect on the child.

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References
Barnhart, C., Raval, V. r., Jansari, A., & Raval, P. (2013). Perceptions of Parenting
Style Among College Students in India and the United States. Journal Of Child &
Family Studies, 22(5), 684-693
Baurmind, D (1971). Current patterns of parental authority. Developmental Psychology,
4(1), 1-103.
Rothrauff, T., Cooney, T., & An, J. (2009). Remembered parenting styles and adjustment
in middle and late adulthood. Journals Of Gerontology Series B: Psychological
Sciences & Social Sciences, 64B(1), 137-146 10p. doi:geronb/gbn008
Windsor, D., Murrell V., & Magun-Jackson, S. (2015) Lifespan Development: An
Educational Psychology Perspective. Boston, MA: Pearson.