29 Sep, 23
As children navigate the complex landscape of upbringing, parenting styles play a pivotal role in shaping their development and well-being.
Among the various parenting approaches, authoritarian parenting often sparks intense debate. Characterized by strict rules, high expectations, and little room for negotiation, authoritative parenting is believed to have both advantages and drawbacks.
In this blog, we delve into authoritarian parenting, examining its pros and cons through the discerning lens of a child psychologist.
Authoritarian parenting is a style of parenting characterized by high demands and strict control over children, with little room for flexibility or open communication.
Parents who adopt an authoritarian approach consider themselves the "boss" of the family and generally insist kids obey without question. They often prioritize rules, discipline, and order, valuing obedience and conformity above all else.
Examples of authoritarian parenting include:
A parent punishes a child for lying by taking away their favorite toy or not letting them play with friends.
A parent responds angrily when a child breaks a rule. The parent might lash out by yelling, grounding, or taking away privileges, maybe for playing video games for a long time.
Unlike permissive parenting, the authoritarian approach represents the most controlling style.
These are some characteristics of an authoritarian parent-
Authoritarian parents set rigid rules and may micromanage their children's lives and behaviors.
They often seem cold, aloof, and harsh.
They have high expectations of their children and demand excellence in academics, behavior, and other areas.
They are likelier to nag or yell at their children than offer encouragement and praise.
They can be highly critica
The main goal of authoritarian parents is to have well-behaved and obedient children. However, this parenting style can positively and negatively affect children.
Parenting styles have been associated with various child outcomes, like social skills and academic performance. Authoritarian parenting affects the mental health of a child too.
Some benefits of this approach for kids may include-
They are more empathetic, kind, and warm.
They become more responsible, can regulate themselves, and learn to make good decisions independently.
They may be more resistant to peer pressure.
They tend to have fewer social problems with peers and get along with teachers at school.
They have respect for adults, other people, and rules.
They're not anxious or worried about who's in charge because they know who makes decisions to ensure they are healthy and happy: the parents.
Some of the cons for kids may include the following-
They act fearful or overly shy around others.
They associate obedience and success with love.
They conform easily yet also experience depression and anxiety.
They display more aggressive behavior toward others.
They have lower self-esteem and face difficulty in social situations.
They are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
They struggle with self-control because they can rarely make choices and experience natural consequences.
Parents may be drawn to an authoritarian style of parenting for several reasons, including-
Parents raised in an authoritarian household or culture may not have examples of other ways to parent, so they raise their kids similarly.
Most parents raise their children in the best way they know and sincerely desire the best for them and may employ an authoritarian parenting style without knowing what harm it can do to their child's mental health.
In some countries, like China, authoritarian parenting is the norm.
Parents of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to adopt an authoritarian approach.
Some parents adopt this style to prepare their kids for future hardships better.
Authoritarian parenting may help raise disciplined children, but it may have poor psychological implications for children. A little modification may help parents adopt better parenting.
Avoiding authoritarian parenting involves adopting a more balanced and authoritative approach that fosters a positive parent-child relationship while providing necessary structure and guidance.
Here are some tips to avoid authoritarian parenting and promote a healthier parenting style:
Learn more about authoritarian parenting.
Listen to your child's thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment. Encourage open communication and make an effort to understand their perspective.
Avoid giving punishment, and don't shame your children for making mistakes.
You can also consult a family therapist.
Remember, no parent is perfect, and parenting is an ongoing learning process. The goal is to create a nurturing and supportive environment that helps children develop into confident, responsible, and well-adjusted individuals.
You can create a more positive and beneficial parent-child relationship by being aware of your parenting style and consciously avoiding authoritarian tendencies.
If you think you need help, consult Zivanza. We understand how sensitive mental health issues are and how authoritarian parenting styles grow up with self-esteem, anger, and mental health issues. Our expert team maintains 100% confidentiality so you can express your concerns transparently with us.
Yes, therapy is not just for adults. In fact, is kids get proper therapy during their childhood, they have more chances of becoming a well-rounded adult who wou...
Read More
Most people emphasize their physical health but often ignore their mental health. They only realize later that even your physical well-being depends on how ment...
Read More
As the world around us gets more and more sophisticated with gadgets and tools, the number of people who suffer from panic attacks also increases. Worrying take...
Read More
Whenever we think of self-care, we often think of journaling. It has become quite a common term in our everyday lives, and it has found a permanent place in mos...
Read More
We have all heard people describe the healing power of time, that there is no wound that time cannot heal. Is there any truth to it? Does time truly heal everyt...
Read More
There is no problem without a solution. The same goes for bullying as well. No matter how complex and nuanced the issue of bullying is, with the right approach ...
Read More
Yes, there is something known as sleep hygiene! As we all know, sleep is the most important aspect of our lives because the quality of our sleep determines the ...
Read More
Everyone goes through one form of trauma or the other. The intensity and type differ, but the pain remains the same. It is easy to get lost in the vicious cycle...
Read More
Being in a relationship and making sure that it is kept interesting is not an easy thing to do. This is especially true when it comes to keeping the romance ali...
Read More
Nothing prepares us for parenthood exactly. But this doesn't mean that you have to start this journey with zero knowledge of what to expect and what not to. Parenti...
Read More
For almost all of us, life goes by pretty normally for the majority of the time. Because of this reason, when something out of the ordinary happens, we are almo...
Read More
We have all heard of people going through mid-life crises. But have we ever actually stopped to think about what exactly it is and how it affects people? If not...
Read More
We often hear people say laughter is the best medicine. Turns out, laughter indeed has a ton of benefits when it comes to facing life. Although we never give it...
Read More
People who have to go through mental illnesses often fight a silent battle against their own demons. People who associate with them do not often understand the ...
Read More
Language skills are the most basic and one of the first skills we develop as a child. It heps us navigate through life and also convey our feelings to others. S...
Read More
We all worry about things in our lives. But there are times when worrying gets the best of us and we do not get an opportunity to truly appreciate the life we l...
Read More
A lot of us struggle with self-esteem. The problem is that only a few people correctly recognize that their problem lies in low self-esteem. Most areas we strug...
Read More
Mothers wear multiple hats in their daily life. Especially the ones who have to handle a 9 to 5 job amidst handling everything else. Even after doing so much, i...
Read More
We all struggle with paying attention to things for a longer period. But some people struggle more than an average human when it comes to sitting still or holdi...
Read More
No one can imagine a life without the internet today. This is the same for adults and kids alike. But this is fine because the internet does come with its own s...
Read More
We have all come across the term ‘emotional intelligence’ at some point in our life. The frequency of it coming up in our daily lives has only incre...
Read More
People who suffer from chronic illness undergo as much mental anguish as they undergo physical pain. It is a bleak situation to be in, but there is always light...
Read More
Even when we live in a time and age where there is constant awareness about mental health and its relevance, one cannot say that the stigma surrounding the same...
Read More
Motivation is what drives us to do things, both big and small. But this doesn't mean that everyone has an endless reserve of motivation. We might run low on...
Read More
Do you know how many problems in our lives would disappear if we simply sat down and had a conversation about it? That’s how powerful the healing ability ...
Read More
What do colors have to do with psychology? Only everything! Color has always had a close association with psychology and brands across the world have made use o...
Read More
It is not easy to live a life in a world that is constantly bombarding us with something new every now and then. It puts us in a constant state of fight or flig...
Read More
New year is all about hope and new beginnings. No matter how bad of a year we had in the past, we hope that the new one will be better and that it will make us ...
Read More
If we walk into a room filled with people, at least a handful pf them will definitely be tackling anxiety every day. As we move towards a time where more and mo...
Read More
Postpartum depression should not be taken lightly. Although the awareness related to the issue has gained relevance only in the past few years, it does not disc...
Read More
Divorce is not easy. It comes with a number of legal and familiar complications. But the most devastating effect it can have is on your mental health. What chal...
Read More
The Brain is truly amazing. But what makes it even more special is neurons, which, unlike other cells in our body, do not regenerate once dead. It makes them su...
Read More
Caring for someone with mental health issues is by no means an easy feat. You need an arsenal of tools by your side to do that. Although each mental illness nee...
Read More
If you want to keep a clear and level head, the only way is to meditate. Most people don't even give meditation a try before they claim it is too difficult....
Read More
We live in a time and age where having stress is not an abnormality, but in turn, is something you expect to have. In other words, stress has been normalized. B...
Read More
No family is perfect. But this doesn't mean that things don't need to change. Problems and trauma can hold back families from living to their fullest. S...
Read More
Mental health issues in people usually remain under the surface most of the time. But sometimes, it bursts out in the form of a mental health crisis. What shoul...
Read More
People have complicated relationships with food. Some more than others. Even when food is a natural part of our life, too much or too little food can cause problems...
Read More
Childhood is supposed to be a happy and wonderful time for kids. But unfortunately, not everyone has the chance to experience a wholesome childhood. The trauma ...
Read More
We live in a constantly overstimulated world where attention deficiency is an increasing concern. Amidst that, people with ADHD struggle to lead a proper life. ...
Read More
Social media has devoured our lives in more than one way. Almost everyone has an online presence, and it is sort of an unsaid rule that is a prerequisite to fit...
Read More
All of us criticize ourselves every now and then. It is good, as long as you do not overindulge yourself in criticism. But when it becomes too much, self-critic...
Read More
We have seen tons of movies where a psychologist holds up a piece of paper with symmetrical inkblot images and analyzes the person sitting opposite them. The im...
Read More
The amount of energy, time, and money an organization puts into its hiring process is insane. But what if, after all the hard work, you hire an employee that do...
Read More
Whenever things start to look a bit bleak, there is somehow always a light at the end of the tunnel. When it comes to the world of mental health, this light is ...
Read More
We live in a world filled with anxious people. Almost everyone is anxious about one thing or the other. But just because it is common doesn't mean that we h...
Read More
Our beliefs make us. Now, this is a fact. Whether we are aware of them or not, our core beliefs make unconscious decisions for us every day. It has so much powe...
Read More
What we repeat becomes our habit, and our habits make us. It is imperative to pay attention to the patterns we fall into because they have the power to shape ou...
Read More
No matter what kind of relationship you are in, the ability to draw a line and give some space for yourself is extremely important for the relationship to survi...
Read More
Perfectionism may sound cool, but it is actually sucking all the fun out of your life. If people have often called you a perfectionist, it is high time you put ...
Read More
We are all familiar with the classic fight or flight mode etched into our DNA through years of evolution. But sometimes, this basic instinct to fight or flee ta...
Read More
The changes we underwent as a civilization in the past few decades are more drastic and dramatic than anyone has ever seen. There has been a sudden sprout of te...
Read More
Kids refuse to go to school, and this is no news. Which kid likes to go to school anyway, right? But sometimes, things might not be as obvious as they seem, and...
Read More
We all live in our own little world of pressure cookers, where the whistle goes off every now and then in the form of outbursts of anger or panic attacks. With ...
Read More
Families are complicated, and this is a universal fact. But as we know, not all families are the same, and some are more complex than others. The complex family...
Read More
How many times have we disguised punishment as discipline, thinking that they are simply interchangeable? Although they might seem alike in some shade of light,...
Read More
What we repeat becomes our habit, and our habits make us. It is imperative to pay attention to the patterns we fall into because they have the power to shape ou...
Read More
Work is life, and life is work. If this has been your mantra for the entirety of your life, then it is high time you did a revaluation. It is often best not to ...
Read More
If there is one factor that most of us grossly undermine when it comes to mental health, it is the quality of our sleep. With gadgets shining their blue and yel...
Read More
Relationships are complicated. When two people come together to build a life it is only normal that problems arise. But what isn't normal is ignoring those ...
Read More
In a world where the importance of mental health is increasingly recognized, understanding how to access and navigate mental health care effectively is vital. This blog is y...
Read More
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that has long been misunderstood and stigmatised. Instead of perpetuating ster...
Read More
As children navigate the complex landscape of upbringing, parenting styles play a pivotal role in shaping their development and well-being. Among the various parenting...
Read More
Marriage is a big adventure, but sometimes challenges come along that can shake things up. That's where marriage counseling comes in – like a helper for couples. It...
Read More
Though ketamine has been used in anesthesia for decades, ketamine therapy is proving extraordinarily useful in the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression, anxie...
Read More
Are you feeling anxious and stressed out all the time? You may be experiencing an anxiety attack. Do you want to learn effective techniques to help calm your mind and ease y...
Read More
A "sense of identity" is intensely a psychological concept. It is abstract and sometimes difficult to comprehend fully. It has complexities and becomes even more compl...
Read More
Relationships are complex and have dynamics difficult to understand. And when it comes to a relationship between a couple, things may turn even more intricate at times! Expert a...
Read More
It is not new if the hectic office schedule or a fight with your best friend overwhelms you and makes you stressed, low, and upset. After all, everyone experiences anxiety, mood...
Read More
Introduction Eating disorders are a growing serious issue in today's society. Many people suffer from eating disorders in Dubai and, yet they often remain misunderstood....
Read More
ADHD stands for Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a mental health disorder characterized by difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, and being easily distracted, among other ...
Read More
This is a personality assessment test sample. Such tests help to understand an individual better - their actions and reactions in a particular situation, their reason for re...
Read More
Does your child remain gloomy all day? Doesn’t he/she answer your call? Does he/she show obscene actions (non-expected in their age)? If you see any of these symptoms ...
Read More
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is characterized as psychotherapy that integrates cognitive therapy with behavior therapy by recognizing unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or beh...
Read More
"My friend looks quite depressed and gloomy these days; shows irritability, and behaves irrationally. I don't know what's wrong with him." Does the above s...
Read More
Ever thought about your food as micronutrients and macronutrients? The article from our expert dietitian will help you better understand these terms that are often used when pla...
Read More
Today, social media has become inseparable from most of us. It has touched almost every aspect of our lives, and this is not likely to change. Social media platforms such as Fac...
Read More
Our body is a temple, and it deserves a healthy lifestyle. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is incorporating a balanced diet into our daily meals. A diet should be opt...
Read More
Who is a psychiatrist? A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with a specialization in diagnosing and treating various complex mental health conditions. Psychiatrists usually wo...
Read More
Management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder. It c...
Read More
Why Your Nutrition Intake is Extra Important During Pregnancy Nutrition During Pregnancy Following are the key components of a healthy lifestyle during pregna...
Read More
Zivanza Blog Benefits of Healthy weight loss: Why weight loss is important? It is no secret that people who are overweight or obese are at a higher...
Read More
How to Overcome Anxiety Disorders & Anxiety Attacks? Anxiety disorders are serious mental illnesses that can cause intense anxiety and stress. There is no one...
Read More
Medical science has made huge progress, be it in the field of Fertility, cardiology, oncology, mental health and diet management. Though the progress is astounding, human error ...
Read More
Dubai is the land of dreams and in the daily hustle to live the best life, somewhere health has taken a back seat. Lack of exercise and control over eating habits has led to an ...
Read More
Psychiatry is an area of medicine involving the study, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders, and Dubai, like the rest of the world, is seeing a rise in mental hea...
Read More
There isn’t a quick fix for depression as in “Boom, you’re cured and suddenly you will not experience depression symptoms.” Treatment of depression...
Read More
People are always online now. Instagram, facebook, twitter and google are always bombarding us with information from all over the globe. We hear about bad things as they happen,...
Read More
“Parenting” is one of the toughest and most fulfilling jobs in the world — and the one for which you might feel the least prepared. Each child will reach emoti...
Read More
The COVID-19 impact has germinated the seeds of another dangerous pandemic - the one of mental health. Symptoms like panic, fear, sleep problems, anxiety and depression have bec...
Read More
Sleep is an essential function that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up. While you sleep, your blood pressure goes down, givi...
Read More
It is no secret that cardiovascular diseases are the number one killer across the globe. In India, the cases of people with heart diseases are on a rapid rise. The main risk fac...
Read More
Speak to our Expert
+971 52 167 7884
Consult our Doctors
Book Appointment