Respond to someone who provided different examples regarding the impact parenting styles have on child development. Respectfully state whether you agree or disagree with your peer about the relationship between parenting style and the presenting issue in the child (i.e. obesity). Be sure to support your stance.

Though the reply, the basic expectation, for deeper engagement and learning, you are encouraged to provide responses to any comments or questions others have given to you (including the instructor) before the last day of the learning week; this will further the conversation while also giving you opportunities to demonstrate your content expertise, critical thinking, and real world experiences with this topic.

5 sentences or more.

Explain the specific impact parenting styles have on two issues related to child development.

The role parents play in their child’s development is more significant than any other component. It is their choice of parenting style that can affect a child in a positive or negative manner. If you look at the development of self-esteem, a strict authoritarian parent doesn’t allow for a child to express themselves or make their own decisions, two important factors in encouraging self-esteem along with independence. On the contrary, a more moderate authoritative parent allows children to learn from their mistakes, share their thoughts and develop independence. When a parent is uninvolved, a child may be receiving food and shelter, but no emotional support. This lack of participation on the parent’s part can lead to a child feeling low self-esteem or even rejection. Seeking a coping mechanism, a child might turn to food for comfort or simply out of boredom; creating health issues such as obesity. In a 2006 research study of 872 children by Dr. Rhee, a pediatrician at Boston Medical Center, found that there is a relationship between parenting style and the level of a child’s weight change over a two-year period, as reported here

By that time more than 11 percent of the children were overweight and an additional 13.4 percent were considered at risk. The children of authoritarian mothers were nearly five times as likely to be overweight as those of authoritative mothers, and children of permissive or uninvolved parents were at more than three times the risk. The researchers stated that an overly strict upbringing can have a negative impact on weight because the children may fail to learn to eat on the basis of hunger and satiety. In such families parents may use food as a reward, insist that children clean their plates, or restrict the kind or amount of food a child can eat. (Gurian, pg. 2)

The type of role a parent decides to play in their child’s life will determine the value of the relationship, as well as the quality of developmental opportunities the child will be exposed to.

Discuss the match or mismatch between parenting styles and their child’s temperament.

When a parent is mindful in their approach to their child’s varying temperament, development can occur. If they can tailor/match their parenting style as this occurs, it would allow for a more pleasurable relationship with their child. On the other hand, a mismatched pairing between an authoritarian parent and easy child would only create a stress and discord. As explained by the Center for Parenting Education,

Goodness of fit also describes how well the child’s temperament “fits” with the people in his environment and how likable the people in the environment consider the child to be. Remember that all adults have their own unique temperaments that can sometimes be very different from the child’s. This is true of parents, teachers, caregivers, etc. Sometimes this clash in temperaments can be the reason why a parent or another adult may be struggling with a child. (pg. 1)

Considering your child’s unique style that may or not necessarily match yours, is essential in building a more cohesive environment for your child to learn in.

How can we as professionals’ help close this gap? What can you do in your professional role to mediate the conflict?

Parent education is key to closing this gap. As a professional in the field of child development, I can create a resource file about the effect of parenting styles readily available for staff and parents. With additional knowledge, we can have a positive effect on the lives of all our families.

References

Gurian, Anita. (n.d). Parenting styles/children’s temperaments The match. Retrieved from http//www.aboutourkids.org/articles/parenting_styleschildren039s_temperaments_match

Library of Articles Child Development “Understanding Goodness Fit” Retrieved from http//centerforparentingeducation.org/library-of-articles/child-development/understanding-goodness-of-fit/