Parenting styles: what are they?

Researchers categorise parenting styles into four broad types. The way you respond to your children’s need for warmth and support and how you exert control over them are the two main determining factors.

AUTHORITATIVE

Summed up as: High control, high responsiveness. Characterised by: A democratic approach to setting rules and a willingness to listen to children's views. A nurturing, warm attitude towards the maintaining of boundaries. Used by: 77 per cent of mothers and 68 per cent of fathers of nine-year-olds in Ireland. * Catch phrase: "Tell me what you think . . ." Likely outcome: Happy, capable children.

AUTHORITARIAN

Summed up as: High control and low responsiveness. Characterised by: An emphasis on strict rules and obedience, with any breach likely to be punished. Less warmth than average in interactions between parent and child. Used by: 4 per cent of mothers and 7 per cent of fathers of nine-year-olds in Ireland.* Catch phrase: "Because I said so . . ." Likely outcome: Obedient and proficient children, but they may rank lower in self-esteem and happiness.

PERMISSIVE

Summed up as: Low control, high responsiveness. Characterised by: Warmth and good communication but also a tendency to act more as a friend than a parent to a child, with a lenient approach to behaviour. Used by: 16 per cent of mothers and 20 per cent of fathers of nine-year-olds in Ireland.* Catch phrase: "Whatever you want . . ." Likely outcome: Children who may have problems with authority and lower levels of happiness and self-control.

UNINVOLVED

Summed up as: Low control, low responsiveness. Characterised by: Few demands and little communication, standing apart from children's lives. Used by: 3 per cent of mothers and 6 per cent of fathers of nine-year-olds in Ireland.* Catch phrase: "Go away . . ." Likely outcome: Children with lower levels of competence, self-esteem and happiness.

*Source: “Growing Up in Ireland – The Lives of 9-year-olds”