There are basically 4 broad types of parenting styles, indulgent, authoritatian, authoritative and uninvolved. These categories basically exampine two areas, parent responsiveness and parent demandingness.

• Indulgent parents (also referred to as "permissive" or "nondirective") "are more responsive than they are demanding. They are nontraditional and lenient, do not require mature behavior, allow considerable self-regulation, and avoid confrontation" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62). Indulgent parents may be further divided into two types: democratic parents, who, though lenient, are more conscientious, engaged, and committed to the child, and nondirective parents.
  
• Authoritarian parents are highly demanding and directive, but not responsive. "They are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62). These parents provide well-ordered and structured environments with clearly stated rules. Authoritarian parents can be divided into two types: nonauthoritarian-directive, who are directive, but not intrusive or autocratic in their use of power, and authoritarian-directive, who are highly intrusive
  
• Authoritative parents are both demanding and responsive. "They monitor and impart clear standards for their children’s conduct. They are assertive, but not intrusive and restrictive. Their disciplinary methods are supportive, rather than punitive. They want their children to be assertive as well as socially responsible, and self-regulated as well as cooperative" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62).
  
• Uninvolved parents are low in both responsiveness and demandingness. In extreme cases, this parenting style might encompass both rejecting–neglecting and neglectful parents, although most parents of this type fall within the normal range.

We can pretty much rule out uninvolved parenting as a viable option for anyone debating the best style. So the three valid styles typically yeild the following results:

• Children and adolescents from authoritarian families (high in demandingness, but low in responsiveness) tend to perform moderately well in school and be uninvolved in problem behavior, but they have poorer social skills, lower self-esteem, and higher levels of depression
  
• Children and adolescents from indulgent homes (high in responsiveness, low in demandingness) are more likely to be involved in problem behavior and perform less well in school, but they have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and lower levels of depression.

Spare the rod and spoil the child? But is self-esteem, social skills and lower levels of depression really a spoiled child? Is financial sucess more important than emotional sucess? Which role does the parent take in building the child. Have we failed in our objectives if we can't balance the two? Or is one not important?

How do you feel culture fits into the choice of parenting style?

__________________

I am not a parent yet I feel that I would fit this mold:
[*]Authoritarian parents are highly demanding and directive, but not responsive. "They are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed without explanation" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62). These parents provide well-ordered and structured environments with clearly stated rules. Authoritarian parents can be divided into two types: nonauthoritarian-directive, who are directive, but not intrusive or autocratic in their use of power, and authoritarian-directive, who are highly intrusive/

ya, I think alot of Asian guys might fit this mold, especially if they or their parents are immigrants.

This is my approach now with my son. Although sometimes punitive is a must. So my acts of discipline are a mix of reinforcement and punishment when required.

__________________

I would say culture plays a large part in parenting style. I believe certain cultures emphasize certain/different aspects of life more, like financial success over social/emotional well-being, than other cultures. So the culture's way of parenting my lean towards a certain type more.

This maybe off bass but American society, which is a melting pot of cultures, seems to have more and more Indulgent parents and Authoritarian parents. Or it could be the children of these parenting styles stand out more so I don't notice the other parenting style children/well behaved children.

__________________

I just can't help myself. Risk it all with me.

__________________

My guy and I have talked about parenting recently. We are getting married next Summer and so of course this subject came up.

I would say that we agree on this type of parenting:

Authoritative parents are both demanding and responsive. "They monitor and impart clear standards for their children’s conduct. They are assertive, but not intrusive and restrictive. Their disciplinary methods are supportive, rather than punitive. They want their children to be assertive as well as socially responsible, and self-regulated as well as cooperative" (Baumrind, 1991, p. 62).