Four common parenting styles

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There are no culturally determined rules or conceptions of changes in parenting after separation and divorce. Parents are often expected to negotiate new parenting structures and plans, while at the same time adjusting to their emotional reactions to the withdrawal of their adult relationship.  

Four common parenting styles have been found in both divorced and non-divorced families: authoritative, permissive, authoritarian, and disengaged/neglecting. Too authoritarian or disengaged/neglecting child rearing can make children more vulnerable to risk and post-divorce stresses[5].

Authoritative parenting: High Control and High Warmth

These parents are flexible but firm. Parents combine warmth and control, which has a significant protective effect against the stresses children encounter in all types of families. Parents are able to clearly communicate their expectations, but also allow for negotiations. Parents who use authoritative parenting have clear expectations for behavior and conduct, which they monitor, and their discipline fosters responsibility, cooperation, and self-regulation. The parents use more suggestions and positive incentives, as well as fewer commands, physical enforcement, and prohibitions.

Permissive: Low Control and High Warmth

Permissive parents make few demands on their children and allow their children considerable freedom to organize and regulate themselves. They use little discipline and avoid confronting signs of problematic behaviors. Children may not be given adequate support or assistance by parents who are too permissive.

Authoritarian: High Control and Low Warmth

These parents are more likely to direct their children rather than negotiate with them, they value obedience, and are more controlling than other parenting styles. Authoritarian parenting styles show less warmth and nurturance, and more distance and monitoring.

Disengaged/neglecting: Low Control and Low Warmth

These parents are low on both demanding and responsiveness; they do not structure, organize, discipline, attend or supervise and may be actively neglecting their children.