Running Head: Adolescence Parenting Styles

Running Head Adolescence Parenting Styles 1adolescence Parenting St

Analyze your parents' parenting style during your adolescence by identifying specific characteristics they exhibited. Reflect on how their behaviors, such as decision-making, rule enforcement, discipline, and emotional support, influenced your development. Consider whether these behaviors were intentional and how they contributed to your emotional stability, social skills, and decision-making abilities. Support your analysis with scholarly references on parenting styles and child development.

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During my adolescence, I would categorize my parents' parenting style as authoritative, characterized by a balanced combination of control and warmth that significantly influenced my development. The authoritative style, as described in parenting literature, involves clear boundaries and rules, combined with responsiveness and respect for a child's opinions (Larzelere, Morris & Harrist, 2013). My parents exemplified many of these traits, which fostered a positive environment for my emotional and social growth.

One of the defining characteristics of my parents' authoritative parenting was their assertiveness in establishing that they held the final authority in decision-making while simultaneously valuing my input. For instance, when planning family outings or vacations, they would consult me beforehand to gauge my availability and preferences, but ultimately, they made the decisive choice. This approach granted me a sense of agency within strict boundaries, reinforcing respect for authority while acknowledging my perspectives. Such involvement aligns with the authoritative style, which encourages open communication and mutual respect (Baumrind, 1991).

Another salient feature was their behavior as helicopter parents, where they closely monitored my activities and ensured my safety, yet they did so in a manner that was supportive rather than overly controlling. Their rulemaking process was collaborative; they would articulate the reasoning behind specific rules and sometimes seek my opinions about them. This participatory rule-setting process made the rules more comprehensible and acceptable, encouraging intrinsic motivation to follow them. For example, rules about curfew times or academic responsibilities were discussed thoroughly, and I was given opportunities to negotiate certain terms within reason. This collaborative approach fostered my sense of competence and autonomy, consistent with self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985).

Discipline within my family was proactive and guidance-oriented rather than reactive or punitive. My parents emphasized positive reinforcement by acknowledging good behavior and offering rewards when appropriate. They prioritized teaching and guiding rather than punishing after the fact. For instance, instead of penalizing me for making mistakes, they discussed what I could learn from the experience and how to improve future decisions. This approach aligns with authoritative discipline strategies that promote internal motivation and ethical development (Grolnick & Pomerantz, 2009).

My parents' consistent display of these behaviors was not accidental but intentional. They consciously chose to parent in this manner and explained their reasons to me on multiple occasions. This transparency helped me understand and internalize their parenting philosophies, making it easier to evoke and emulate their behaviors independently. Their deliberate approach created a stable, secure environment that positively affected my emotional and social development.

Their parenting style had profound effects on my growth. Firstly, it contributed to my emotional stability. Their validation of my feelings and open communication fostered a safe space where I felt valued and understood. Such attachment security—corresponding with research indicating that strong primary caregiver bonds promote emotional resilience (Dunning & Dunning, 2014)—became the foundation for my confident self-expression and emotional regulation.

Secondly, their approach facilitated my social development. By encouraging me to express opinions and participate in decision-making, I learned how to articulate my thoughts and engage in respectful dialogues. This skill translated into my interactions outside the home, enabling me to cultivate meaningful relationships. Furthermore, their guidance helped me navigate peer pressure and make sound decisions, minimizing risky behaviors often associated with adolescence (Rothbaum & Weisz, 1994).

In conclusion, my parents' authoritative parenting style fostered an environment of mutual respect, guided discipline, and emotional validation. This intentional approach significantly shaped my emotional stability and social competence, illustrating the vital role of parenting styles in adolescent development. Understanding how specific behaviors influence outcomes underscores the importance of conscious parenting and its potential for nurturing well-adjusted individuals.

References

• Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Dunning, L., & Dunning, B. (2014). Good parents, bad parenting: how to parent together when your parenting styles are worlds apart. Lulu.
• Grolnick, W. S., & Pomerantz, E. M. (2009). Issues and strategies in engaging parents. In K. P. Dodge, A. L. Frye, & G. E. Miller (Eds.), The handbook of socialization. Guilford.
• Larzelere, R., Morris, A., & Harrist, A. (2013). Authoritative parenting: synthesizing nurturance and discipline for optimal child development. American Psychological Association.
• Rothbaum, F., & Weisz, J. R. (1994). Parental caregiving and child development. The American Psychologist, 49(10), 1134-1143.