The Best Parenting Style

TOPIC: Authoritative parenting is the best parenting style.

         Parenting is a very sensitive topic, especially when it boils down to whom uses the right method to discipline children. However, it must be discussed since children are the future and the way in which they are raised, depends in what they become in the very near future. In her psychological guide, Kendra Cherry, explained that Authoritative Parenting, “…involves a child-centric approach in which parents hold high expectations for their children.”  Authoritative means having some form of authority with a level of fairness. She explicates that this parenting style takes into consideration the child’s opinions and perspective rather than the parents having the first and final word. My belief in parenting is based solely on this type of parenting style since I can only see it as being the best way to raise your children.

         As stated above it is critical for there to be a right parenting style to ensure that your child can be successful in the future and an authoritative method is the best. Some of the many benefits of this style is that children emerge with a high level of self esteem and confidence. They are willing to take on any challenge since they know that their parents are supportive no matter what the outcome may be. Gottman and Declaire noted in their book ‘Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child’,  that children are more responsive and approach any situation with confidence when parents offer their constructive opinion and their suggestions.

         It is seen that Authoritative parenting has also been linked to success at school. It is only obvious that once a parent is taking time to listen to their children views on a particular subject and trying to assist in their school work, that child has an increased, if not, guaranteed chance of being successful in their schooling. In a book called ‘Feel bad Education and other contrarian essays on children and schooling’, written by Alfie Kohn, it is recognized that students learn better in an environment where educational messages are sent and by parents taking a designated amount of time to aid their children then it is proven that students can achieve a higher success rate in school; hence making this incorporate with the fact that authoritative parenting style is the best.