Permissive Parenting Style

Raising children is one of the most difficult jobs and you need to find the right parenting style that is suitable for your children. There are many theories about how to raise a child, so that he/she grows up to be a responsible and morally sound person.

One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is finding a parenting style that both parents agree on and which is also a suitable one for the child. There are many parenting styles and permissive parenting style is among the most controversial ones. Permissive parenting has come under a lot of flak in recent times and there are many pros and cons of permissive parenting.

Permissive parenting also known as indulgent parenting is a style of rearing children in such a way that no demands are made on them. Parents are responsive of the children's wants and spend quality time with them, but they do not control them or teach them to behave in an appropriate manner.

Permissive parenting is just the opposite of authoritative parenting where the parents are strict and who set clear rules for their children. The upside of such a type of parenting is that children learn to be independent and are able to make their own decisions. The most glaring disadvantage is that there is a likelihood that they become spoiled brats and learn to undermine authority.

Permissive parenting is a style of parenting where no clear boundaries are set for the child's behavior and the overall atmosphere at home is one of warmth. The parents shower the child with love and attention but do not reprimand him/her for wrong behavior.

There are no rules and parameters in permissive parenting and many children are often bewildered by the number of choices that are given to them and the lack of direction that they receive from their parents.

Such parents are often indulgent and can be said to be laid back and easy-going. They do not punish the child for any misconduct and wrongdoings neither do they correct the child's behavior. These parents firmly believe that the child should be allowed to make their own choices and as parents they should fully support such a decision.

One of the most negative effect of such a style of parenting is that the child is highly spoiled due to over indulgence of parents. As a child does not have the capability to know from right and wrong and the permissive parents too do not teach it, they become incapable of differentiating from right and wrong behavior.

Children of such a parenting style think that the whole world is going to indulge them in a similar way, and this sets them up for disappointments later in life.

Also such children are prone to throw tantrums and behave in an outrageous manner when they don't get what they want. Another effect of permissive parenting is that children, particularly adolescents, may take advantage of their lenient parents and indulge in many anti social activities.

This kind of parenting style might work well for shy, reticent and introvert kids as this parenting style gives them room to grow as an individual and they begin to blossom as a person. However, permissive parenting will not work for rebellious and difficult kids. Some children will become manipulative and will act out to get what they want from their parents.

Permissive parenting style examples are making few demands on the child to do household chores or school work and not asking for any accountability in regards to pocket money. As there are very few, if any rules in the house regarding bedtimes, homework schedule or TV watching, the child does not learn to be responsible.

After reading about this parenting style you must have realized that it is not the best way to raise a child. Many parents who adopt this parenting style might do so because they were themselves brought up in a highly strict environment and want to compensate for it.

Whatever the reasons might be, adopting a permissive parenting style is not the ideal way to raise your child. As a parent you have the responsibility of not only showering love and affection to your child, but you also need to teach them disciple and help them to distinguish between what is right from wrong.