From authoritative to neglectful, here’s how teachers can discuss parenting styles with parents!

<h2>How Teachers Can Tactfully Talk with Parents About Parenting</h2>

<p>
 As a teacher, talking with parents about how they parent is delicate at best, 
 treacherous at worst. However, parenting style has a profound impact on students’ 
 educational experiences, making the topic vital. Ideally, school would be a 
 team effort, with teachers, parents, and students all on board. 
 <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/all-about-education-jobs" target="_blank">Seasoned teachers</a> 
 know, however, that this ideal is not always the case. 
</p>

<p>So, how can teachers tactfully breach the sensitive topic of parenting? One 
  approach is to compile research-based information on how parenting styles impact 
  learning and share it with ALL families as part of your welcome-back-to-school 
  packet. This may be particularly helpful for parents of students with emotional, 
  behavioral, intellectual, or developmental disabilities since consistency is 
  critical in helping these kids succeed. 
</p>

<p>Remember to do your research, tread lightly, and check your school and district 
  policies regarding sharing information on parenting. Here’s some background on 
  parenting styles, along with some research and tips to help you compose a 
  practical guide for the parents of your students.
</p>

<h2>Parenting Styles</h2>
<p>In the 1960s, parenting was categorized into three main styles: 
  <strong>authoritarian, authoritative,</strong> and <strong>permissive</strong> 
  (Baumrind). A fourth style, <strong>neglectful</strong>, was added in the 1980s 
  (Maccoby and Martin). In a nutshell, here’s how the parenting styles are 
  characterized:
</p>

<ul>
  <li><strong>Authoritative Parents:</strong> High levels of demandingness and affection.</li>
  <li><strong> Authoritarian Parents:</strong> High levels of demandingness and low levels of affection. </li>
  <li><strong>	Permissive Parents:</strong> High levels of affection and low levels of demandingness.</li>
  <li><strong>Neglectful Parents:</strong> Minimal, if any, demandingness or affection. </li>
</ul>

<h2>Parenting Style Characteristics</h2>
<p>While parenting can be fluid and vary across the child-rearing span, detailed characteristics of the four main parenting styles are as follows:</p>

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th> AUTHORITATIVE </th>
      <th> AUTHORITARIAN</th>	
      <th> PERMISSIVE </th>	
      <th> NEGLECTFUL</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody> 
    <tr>
       <td> High expectations</td>	
       <td >High expectations</td>	
       <td>Limited expectations	</td> 
       <td> to no expectations</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td> Provide support</td>	
      <td> Demand obedience </td>	
      <td> Minimal guidance</td>	
      <td> Minimal involvement</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td> Nurturing environment</td>	
      <td >Controlling environment</td>	
      <td> Warm and nurturing environment	</td>
      <td> Detached, neglectful environment </td>
    </tr>

    <tr>
      <td> Clear rules</td>	
      <td> Strict rules</td>	
      <td> Few rules</td>	
      <td> No rules </td>
    </tr>

    <tr> 
      <td> Consistent discipline</td>	
      <td> Harsh, punitive discipline</td>	
      <td> Lenient discipline</td>	
      <td> Limited to no discipline</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td> Encourage independence</td>	
      <td> Limited independence</td>	
      <td> High level of freedom</td>	
      <td >High level of freedom </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Open communication</td>	
      <td> One-way communication</td>	
      <td> Friend-like communication</td>	
      <td> Little to no communication </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td> Social responsibility</td>	
      <td> Social control</td>	
      <td> Indulgent behavior</td>	
      <td> No social expectations</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td> Emphasis on balance</td>	
      <td >Emphasis on obedience</td>	
      <td> Emphasis on child’s desires</td>	
      <td> Emphasis on parent’s own needs</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<h2>Research on Parenting Style and Education</h2>
<h3>Did You Know?</h3>
<p>The authoritative parenting style 
  is the clear winner when you take a look at the research:
</p>

<ul>
  <li><strong>Authoritative</strong> parenting style is linked to positive effects 
  on child self-determination (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37470257/" target="_blank">Meral et al</a>.), independent, purposive behavior, 
  social responsibility, and high achievement in children (<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037/h0030372" target="_blank">Baumrind</a>).
  </li>
  
  <li> <strong>Authoritarian</strong> parenting has shown a high correlation 
  with juvenile delinquent behavior (
    <a href="C:\Users\apatil\Downloads\Authoritarian parenting has been found to have a high correlation with juvenile delinquent behavior (Amran, M. and Basri, N., 2020)." target="_blank">
      Amran and Basri</a>).
  </li>
  
  <li><strong>Permissive</strong> parenting has been linked to affiliation with 
  deviant peers and delinquent behavior, including alcohol use, among teens 
  (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4909613/" target="_blank">Hinnant et al.</a>). 
  </li>
  
  <li><strong>Neglectful</strong> parenting has been connected with maladaptive 
  strategies characterized by high levels of task-irrelevant behavior, passivity 
  and a lack of self-enhancing attributions in adolescents 
  (<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10831143/" target="_blank">Aunola et al</a>.).
  </li>

</ul>


<h2>Resources on Parenting Style for Both Parents and Teachers</h2>
<p> Teachers can direct the parents of their students to the following resources, 
  suggested by the <a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/04/parenting-resources" target="_blank">
  American Psychological Association</a>.
</p>

<h3><a href="https://effectivechildtherapy.org/" target="_blank">EffectiveChildTherapy.org</a></h3>
<p> A partnership between APA Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 
  and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, this resource 
  covers behavioral and mental health problems in children and adolescents. 
  The site helps parents determine whether a child’s behavior is normal or 
  is a sign of a more significant issue and offers guidance on selecting a 
  child psychologist. 
</p>

<h3><a href="https://infoaboutkids.org/" target="_blank">InfoAboutKids.org</a></h3>
<p>Infoaboutkids.org is a collaboration of the Consortium for Science-Based 
  Information on Children, Youth and Families. Their focus is providing science-based 
  information on healthy child and family development. Topics include healthy 
  parenting, attachment to parents, separation from parents, relationships, 
  managing conflict, helping children 
  manage pain and cope with grief, parenting adolescents, and much more. 
</p>

<h3><a href="https://positivepsychology.com/authoritative-parenting/" target="_blank">
PositivePsychology.org</a></h3>
<p>Positive Psychology has an extensive resource on authoritative parenting 
  that includes understanding authoritative parenting as a positive parenting 
  style, characteristics of an authoritative parent, real-life examples, 
  research findings, and practical tips.
</p>

<h2>10 Tips for Teachers to Share with Parents</h2>
<p> Don’t forget to include action items for parents to help them get into the solution! Here are several to start:</p>
  <ol style="margin-left:25px;">
    <li> Set realistic goals for your child.</li>
    <li> Establish clear expectations with appropriate consequences.</li>
    <li> Encourage independence and teach responsibility.</li>
    <li> Provide positive reinforcement and consistent support.</li>
    <li> Foster a positive self-concept in your child.</li>
    <li> Use developmentally appropriate language when discussing challenges.</li>
    <li> Maintain open and supportive communication.</li>
    <li> Identify and nurture your child’s talents and strengths.</li>
    <li> Engage with your student’s <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/special-education-resources-to-share-with-parents-at-iep-meetings" target="_blank">
    educational support team</a>.</li>
    <li> Participate in school activities to show interest in your child’s academic progress.</li>
</ol>

<h2>Empower Your Students by Empowering Their Parents!</h2>
<p>By offering parents research-based insights into effective parenting practices, 
  you can help build a cohesive and supportive learning environment. This unique 
  opportunity allows you to bridge the gap between school and home, fostering a 
  collaborative approach to each child’s education. Opening a dialogue with 
  parents demonstrates your commitment to their child’s success and shows 
  you’re invested in their overall well-being. By working together, you can 
  ensure every one of your students has the support they need to thrive 
  academically and emotionally.
</p>

<h2>Ready to Help Kids Who Need You Most?</h2>
<p>Explore our exciting <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/education" target="_blank">jobs for teachers</a> 
now.
</p>


Parenting Styles and Students’ Educational Experience