Introduction
Developmental psychology lays its interest in how parents influence child development. However, finding the actual cause effect links between parenting styles and later children behavior is difficult. This is because children raised in different environments may grow up to have remarkably analogous personalities (Charlesworth, 2011). Equally, children may share the same home, under the same parenting style and environment, but still grow up to have different personality. However, research has found convincing links between parenting styles and the overall effect the styles have on children. One Psychologist, Diana Baumrind identified four critical dimensions of parenting. They were Disciplinary strategies, warmth and nurturance, communication styles and expectations of maturity and control (Charlesworth, 2011). Techniques parents choose depend on community and cultural standards, children behavior at the moment and the situation. The four parenting styles are authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, permissive parenting and uninvolved parenting (Alice, 2010).
My parents employed an authoritative method of parenting. This is because they were always ready to listen to my issues or any form of the problem I had. They encouraged independence out of me, teaching me valuable skills I got use to become my own consultant. They believed that through giving me independent skills, I would turn out to be an outstanding adult. The methods they used to give me independent skill were allowing me to make my own mistakes, and then correcting me. My parents let me make my judgments (Elislevier, 2012). If I went wrong, my parents would instill proper judgment. They placed limits for me not to exceed. This included curfew times and the lowest grade I was to achieve in school. They also gave consequences if I bypassed the set limits. The consequences were grounding and having my allowances reduced. They would also give me lectures on the issues, which was another way of punishment. They also gave me expectations, which they would want me to achieve. The expectations included better grades in school, being a responsible person, setting my own rules and not under any situations to tell a lie. They stood for the truth at all times. They allowed me to voice my opinions and contributions in the family. Making of decisions in the family was through consensus method, and I viewed the method as democratic. Each person had a say in the family. Their punishment was in the least punitive as it was assertive and fair. They gave me excellence nurturance, allowing me to discuss options.
The style of parenting has influenced my individual development adversely. First, it has led me to be a virtually understanding person, who relates well with others people socially. This is because my parents pushed for noteworthy social relations skills. This aspect in me has opened doors for numerous opportunities such as team leader roles and an arbitrator during conflicts. The other way through which the parenting style has had an impact on my individual personality is by enabling me to have excellent communication skills, which applied well as I grew up. It enabled me to voice my concerns on any problem I may encounter. My relation with teachers and friends has been noteworthy, and this I give outmost credit to my parents.
My other individual character that is because of my parent’s technique is that of being independent. Through letting me find my own path, allowing me to make mistakes then correct me, gave me a clear guideline as to ways on which to become independent and rely on my own personal judgment (Shaffer & Kipp, 2010). This independent bit has helped me achieve a lot at my present stage of life, mostly in my academic setting. It has guided me to be my own personal consultant and motivate myself. How I am able to motivate myself helps me achieve or at least try to get what I want in life.
Certain factors lead to parents employing different parenting styles. However, the major ones as stated earlier are the community or cultural standards, the children behavior at the time, the situation present and the parental background. Personality, family size, socioeconomic status, religion and education may also cause a variation in parenting techniques (Alice, 2010).Cultural standards may see to it that children follow certain taboos, which influence their behaviors. Parental background influence parents to provide better methods of parenting if they came from either virtuous or incompetent parents.
Conclusion
As much as parents differ in parenting techniques, it is essential that children get to learn, on appropriate methods of parenting, to provide a superb atmosphere. For parents to design a cohesive style to parenting, it is vital that parents cooperate when combining their different element of unique parenting (Shaffer & Kipp, 2010). Parenting styles of individual parents tend to create a unique blend in every member of the family.
References
Alice J. (2010) How parents styles affect children. Retrieved 22 November 2012, from
<http://www.howtolearn.com/2012/02/how-your-parenting-style-affects-your-childs-behavior>
Charlesworth, R. (2011). Understanding child development. Australia: Wadsworth, Cengage
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Elislevier D. theory of apllied developmental psychology( 2012). Retrieved 22 November 2012,
from
<http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-applied-developmental-psychology/>
Shaffer, D. R., &Kipp, K. (2010). Developmental psychology: Childhood and adolescence.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
