Parenting or child rearing is the process of promoting and supporting

the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood.
Parenting refers to the intricacies of raising a child and not exclusively for a biological
relationship.[1]
The most common caretaker in parenting is the father or mother, or both, biological parent(s) of
the child in question, although a surrogate may be an older sibling, a grandparent, a legal
guardian, aunt, uncle or other family member, or a family friend.[2] Governments and society may
also have a role in child-rearing. In many cases, orphaned or abandoned children receive
parental care from non-parent or non-blood relations. Others may be adopted, raised in foster
care, or placed in an orphanage. Parenting skills vary, and a parent or surrogate with good
parenting skills may be referred to as a good parent.[3]

Parenting roles
Parenting practices around the world share three major goals: ensuring children’s
health and safety, preparing children for life as productive adults and transmitting
cultural values. A high-quality parent-child relationship is critical for healthy
development.

Parenting styles

Authoritarian

The authoritarian parent combines low levels of warmth with high levels of
control and employs a strict discipline style characterized by minimal negotiation with
the child, high expectations, limited flexibility, frequent use of punishment, and one -
way communication from parent to child (Baumrind, 1991). Authoritarian parenting
has been associated with child outcomes such as hostility, delinquency,
rebelliousness, and antisocial aggression (Baumrind, 1991). Research has also found
that a child’s early experience with excessive parental control tends to correlate with
the development of anxiety (Chorpita & Barlow, 1998). It is possible this anxiety
stems from a lack of opportunity to develop autonomy through independent
exploration of the environment (Bowlby, 1977). It has also been proposed that the
low warmth typical of authoritarian parenting could be linked to child depression
(Rapee, 1997).

Permissive

The permissive parent exhibits high levels of warmth and low levels of
control. He or she acts more like a friend than a parent, employing a lax discipline
style with few rules, little to no expectations, and minimal guidance or direction
(Baumrind, 1991). Parents with this style have a tendency to be very loving and
nurturing, but also allow their children to solve problems without parental
involvement (Baumrind, 1991). In a study of permissive parenting, lack of
involvement, lack of follow through, and lack of confidence in parenting ability were
important predictors of child behavior problems reported by both parents and
teachers (Calzada, 2001). Because permissive parents tend to be non-demanding, it
becomes much more difficult to control children’s behaviors and outline boundaries
in children’s environments (Baumrind & Black, 1967). Research has found links
between the excessive parental indulgence often found in permissive parenting
practices and children’s decreased social competence and academic achievement
(Chen et al., 2000). Permissive parenting has been linked to bossy, dependent,
impulsive behavior in children, with low levels of self-control and achievement and a
failure to learn persistence and emotional control (Baumrind, 1967).

Uninvolved

The uninvolved parent combines low levels of warmth and low levels of control,
and does not utilize any particular discipline style (Baumrind, 1991). He or she often
displays little interest in being a parent. Communication is limited, nurturance is low,
and the child, generally, has an excessive amount of freedom (Baumrind,
1991). Because the uninvolved parent is neither demanding, nor responsive, and
because young children are highly dependent on parental structure and support,
uninvolved parenting has been associated with behavioral problems and depression
in children (Downey & Coyne, 1990). Additionally, adolescents who are exposed to
uninvolved parenting practices often perceive high levels of rejection and tend to
exhibit more externalizing behaviors, aggressive behaviors, delinquent behaviors,
hostility, and attention problems (Ruchkin et al., 1998; Meesters et al., 1995; &
Barnow et al., 2002). It is also possible that the effects of uninvolved parenting
persist through adolescence and into adulthood (Nijhof & Engles, 2007). In a study
of first year college students, researchers found that individuals who reported being
raised by uninvolved parents showed more internalizing and externalizing problems
in reaction to negative emotions such as homesickness (Nijhof & Engles,
2007). Additionally, these students, generally, coped with problems less effectively
than individuals who reported growing up in a loving and accepting home
environment (Nijhof & Engles, 2007).

Authoritative

The authoritative parent displays both high levels of warmth and high levels of
control (Baumrind, 1991). Parents in this category are reasonable and nurturing, set
high expectations, explain disciplinary rules clearly, and engage in frequent
communication with their children (Baumrind, 1991). Authoritative parenting has
been associated with greater child competence, exceptional maturity, assertiveness,
and self-control (Baumrind, 1991). Authoritarian parents who employ child-centered
disciplinary practices, and who use verbal reasoning and explanations, tend to raise
children who display high levels of moral reasoning, markers of moral conscience,
and prosocial behaviors (Krevans & Gibbs, 1996).

Research has shown that authoritative parenting may be the most effective style,
however, it also tends to be the most demanding in terms of parental energy and time
(Greenberger & Goldberg, 1989). It is possible that parents who are living under
conditions of stress, such as poverty, may be less likely to display authoritative
parenting behaviors, and more likely to employ less effective parenting
practices. Research suggests parents of a higher socioeconomic status household, are
more likely to employ democratic (Hoffman, 1963) and child-centered (Sears et al.,
1957) parenting practices, in contrast to the authoritarian and parent-centered style
that characterizes lower socioeconomic status homes. This would lead to an
increased likelihood of raising children who display internalizing and externalizing
behavior problems, which, in turn, is likely to put the family under more stress. This
circular trend has major implications for the future, as it contributes to systemic
inequity for families in poverty (Kohen, 1998).

PARENTAL ROLE

Parents play an important role in the overall development of their child. It is the right
guidance of parents that develops the character of the child. Parenting is a never-ending
job. It is not something you can get away from once the time comes, because children
need their parents from time to time, to stay on the right track. Here’s all that you need to
know about the role of parents in the development of their child.

Importance of the Role of Parents in Child Development

Parenting and child development go hand in hand.

The role of parents in child development is responsive, responsible and never-ending. It

1. Cognitive Development
When children are growing up, positive parenting improves their cognitive, social and
problem-solving skills. Positive parenting also affects their responses and helps them
grow up to be better humans. Interaction and stimulation are very important in the early
years. It is all about recognizing problems, handling all situations well and picking up the
traits of discipline, time management and effective problem-solving through simple
routines at home.

2. Socio-Cultural Development
Children observe spousal interaction and how arguments are settled in the family. It
teaches them a variety of good values that are imbibed and crucial to growing up.
The child learns how to behave with others, playing to a common goal, team spirit,
picking right friends and a lot more.
3. Physical Development
Reaching age-related milestones is not the only goal. Children learn about being
healthy, exercising regularly, being a team player, having the right diet and growing in a
conducive environment through the play and learn way. The right guidance from parents
can inculcate in children a good regimen of exercise and diet to achieve ideal physical
development. Parents should remember that children lead by example.

4. Mental Development
Parenting styles help the child learn innovatively, accepting failures and overcoming
them, understanding discipline, accepting feedback and the award and punishment
concept. It governs their response to stimuli, thus moulding their minds.

5. Spiritual Development
Understanding religion, prayer, knowing right from wrong, being empathetic, having the
right ethical values, valuing your parents and strengthening goal setting liberates the
free spirit in children. Teaching your children to be more accepting and believing in the
greater good can help them gain a sense of purpose. Try not to conform them to any
particular religion and let them explore spirituality on their own.