Parenting

Parenting styles are the different approaches that guardians take in raising children. Four styles are authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved.

• Authoritarian parenting involves setting strict rules, which the child is expected to follow without questions or explanations.
• Authoritative parenting involves more two-way communication. Parents explain the rules and expectations, and the child is given space to voice their point of view.
• Permissive parents are nurturing but set very few rules or expectations and offer little guidance.
• The uninvolved parenting style gives children lots of freedom, but the parents tend to be more detached and less nurturing.

If you have an anxious (or ambivalent) attachment style, you tend to fixate on romantic interests and crave constant reassurance or attention from others. People may accuse you of being “clingy” or “needy,” and your actions are often driven by anxiousness, jealousy, or low self-worth. This attachment style develops when a parent or caregiver is inconsistent in how they respond to their child’s needs. Your caregiver may have fluctuated between being engaged and being inattentive, for example.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are events that could lead to trauma in those under the age of 18. These events could include anything from witnessing domestic violence or substance abuse to being neglected or physically abused by a caregiver. ACEs have lasting consequences as a child grows into adulthood. People who experience ACEs are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health conditions, such as heart disease and depression, and may struggle to form healthy relationships.

Authoritative parents set clear guidelines for their children but leave room for open, two-way communication. Children are often permitted to question the reasoning behind certain rules and expectations. Although this approach requires plenty of patience, children can be more likely to grow into confident adults who are better able can navigate negative emotions and social situations.

The permissive parenting style gives children a high degree of freedom. Parents are reluctant to set limits or rules and may not take disciplinary action to address behavioral issues. The kids may think of their parents as “friends” rather than authority figures or sources of guidance. Children with permissive parents can sometimes grow up to be impulsive or selfish.