Is there a best or main parenting style and their influence on kids

Based on the sources, there are four primary parenting styles that are considered the main ones: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. These styles were initially identified by developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind, with the uninvolved style added later by researchers Maccoby and Martin.

The classification of these styles is based on two key dimensions: demandingness, which is the extent to which parents set rules and expect obedience, and responsiveness, which measures the degree to which parents are warm, supportive, and sensitive to their children's needs.

Understanding these styles helps parents and caregivers adopt effective approaches and identify their own tendencies.Regarding whether there is a "best" parenting style, research highlighted in the sources suggests that authoritative parenting is generally associated with the most positive outcomes for children.

This style is characterized by being high in both demandingness and responsiveness. Authoritative parents establish clear rules and expectations for their children's behavior and consistently enforce them. However, they also demonstrate a great deal of warmth, love, and support. They are attuned to their children's needs and emotions, listen to their concerns, and engage in open communication, explaining the reasoning behind rules.

Authoritative parents encourage independence and autonomy within reasonable limits, fostering self-esteem, independence, social responsibility, academic success, social competence, and emotional well-being.In contrast, the other parenting styles tend to have different influences on children. Authoritarian parenting, high in demandingness but low in responsiveness, is often described as strict and controlling, emphasizing obedience without question. This approach may lead to anxiety and low self-esteem in children. Permissive parenting, low in demandingness but high in responsiveness, is lenient with few rules or consequences, often prioritizing the child's happiness over discipline.

Children of permissive parents may lack self-discipline, struggle with authority, and have difficulty understanding social expectations, potentially resulting in impulsivity and poor self-regulation. Uninvolved parenting, low in both demandingness and responsiveness, is emotionally distant and provides minimal supervision or support. This style is associated with negative outcomes, including hindering attachment, poor social skills, behavioral problems, low achievement, and low overall well-being.While authoritative parenting is linked to generally positive outcomes, the sources note that parenting styles can be influenced by various factors such as cultural norms, parents' own upbringing, and the child's temperament, and can evolve over time.

Many parents may incorporate elements from different styles, although consistency and prioritizing warmth and clear expectations are crucial for positive outcomes. The study of parenting styles is evolving, exploring cultural variations and individual differences, with a recent focus on more tailored and context-specific approaches, building upon the core styles to emphasize aspects like empathy, mindfulness, and the parent-child relationship.