What It Means
Authoritative parenting is a style that is high in responsiveness (warmth, support, listening) and high in demandingness (clear rules, supervision, expectations that grow with the child). Researcher Diana Baumrind described it in the 1960s alongside authoritarian and permissive parentingPermissive parentingA parenting style that is warm and accepting but sets few rules or limits. Researchers also call it indulgent parenting; it is one of the four styles. See more, and in 1983 Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin added a fourth style, uninvolved. An authoritative parent explains the reasons behind rules, listens to the child's side, and still follows through.
Try It: Place a Style on the Two Dimensions
Researchers sort parenting on two dimensions. Set each one and see which of the four styles it describes.
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Permissive
Uninvolved
Warm and listening, with clear rules that are explained and kept.
Strict rules and obedience, with little warmth or explanation.
Warm and accepting, with few rules or limits.
Little warmth and few rules or limits.
How Parents Say It
- "You can be mad, and the answer is still no."
- "Tell me why you think the rule is unfair."
- "We're firm but we talk it through."
The Breakdown
The four styles, per Britannica and research reviews on PubMed Central
| Style | Responsiveness (warmth) | Demandingness (control) |
|---|---|---|
| Authoritative | High | High |
| Authoritarian | Low | High |
| Permissive | High | Low |
| Uninvolved | Low | Low |
What it can look like as children grow. These are Buhata's own examples of warmth plus clear limits, not quotes from a study.
| Age | Example |
|---|---|
| ToddlerToddlerA child from 1 to 3 years old, the stage CDC's parenting guidance places between infancy and the preschool years. See more | "You're upset the tower fell. Blocks stay on the floor. Let's build it again." |
| School age | Homework comes before screens, and you agree together on the time it starts. |
| Teen | A curfew you set after hearing their case, with a clear result if it's missed. |
When to talk to someone. If discipline at home keeps turning into shouting matches, or you're worried about your child's behavior, your pediatrician is a good first person to ask.
Where It Comes From
Diana Baumrind described three parenting stylesParenting styleThe overall way a parent guides a child, usually described on two dimensions, warmth and demands, which give four styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved. See more, authoritative, authoritarian and permissive, in research published in 1967. In 1983 Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin set the styles on two dimensions, responsiveness and demandingness, and added uninvolved parentingUninvolved parentingA parenting style low in both warmth and rules, where a parent gives little attention, guidance or supervision. Also called neglectful parenting. See more as the fourth.
Good to Know
Research summarized by Britannica and in reviews on PubMed Central has linked authoritative parenting with the most favorable outcomes for children and teens. That's an association across groups of families, and some researchers question whether one style works best in every culture. Firm limits don't mean harsh ones: in its 2018 policy statement "Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children," and on HealthyChildren.org, the AAP advises against spanking, hitting, threatening, insulting or shaming children as discipline.
FAQ
What's the difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting?
Both set firm rules. An authoritative parent also offers warmth, explains the reasons and listens, while an authoritarian parentAuthoritarian parentingA parenting style high in rules and control but low in warmth, where children are expected to obey without discussion. One of the four styles in parenting research. See more expects obedience with little warmth or discussion, as Cleveland Clinic describes it.
Is authoritative parenting the best style?
Research reviewed by Britannica and on PubMed Central has associated it with the most favorable outcomes. Researchers also point out that the pattern may differ across cultures, and every child's temperamentTemperamentA child's inborn style of reacting to the world, like how active, regular, intense or quick to adapt they are, which shapes behavior from infancy. See more is different.
Who came up with authoritative parenting?
Diana Baumrind, whose research in the 1960s described it alongside authoritarian and permissive parenting. Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin added the uninvolved style in 1983.
Do It in Buhata
Household Space and Household Rewards
Write your household's few clear rules and the reason for each in your Household Space in Buhata, and set up Household Rewards for the chores that go with them.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Authoritarian parenting
A parenting style high in rules and control but low in warmth, where children are expected to obey without discussion. One of the four styles in parenting research.
- Permissive parenting
A parenting style that is warm and accepting but sets few rules or limits. Researchers also call it indulgent parenting; it is one of the four styles.
- Uninvolved parenting
A parenting style low in both warmth and rules, where a parent gives little attention, guidance or supervision. Also called neglectful parenting.
- Parenting style
The overall way a parent guides a child, usually described on two dimensions, warmth and demands, which give four styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved.
- Limit setting
Deciding and calmly holding the rules for what a child may and may not do, explained in words the child can understand and followed through every time.
- Positive discipline
Discipline that teaches a child how to behave through modeling, clear limits, calm consequences and attention, without hitting, yelling or shaming.
Sources
Britannica, "Parenting: Parenting styles and child outcomes"; PubMed Central (NIH), "Parenting Dimensions and Styles: A Brief History and Recommendations for Future Research"; PubMed Central (NIH), "Parenting Styles: A Closer Look at a Well-Known Concept"; PubMed Central (NIH), "Positive parenting style and positive health beyond the authoritative"; Cleveland Clinic, "The 4 Parenting Styles and Their Effect on Kids"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "What's the Best Way to Discipline My Child?"; American Academy of Pediatrics, "Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children," Pediatrics, 2018
- www.britannica.com/topic/parenting/Parenting-styles-and-child-outcomes
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3746212
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6323136
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9800864
- health.clevelandclinic.org/parenting-styles
- www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-dynamics/communication-discipline/Pages/Disciplining-Your-Child.aspx
- publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/142/6/e20183112/37452/Effective-Discipline-to-Raise-Healthy-Children
Last updated .