The Purpose Of This Activity Is To Identify Differences In P

The purpose of this activity is to identify differences in parenting styles

The purpose of this activity is to identify differences in parenting styles; parenting styles differ on the basis of control and warmth/responsiveness. You should observe and record a description of conflicts that occur between different sets of parents and children in public settings, such as parks, shopping malls, and toy stores. Checkout counters where candy and other items designed to appeal to children are displayed are especially good locations for observing such interactions. For each pair you observe, use Chapter 12 of your textbook and Power Point notes to classify parents’ styles of handling the conflict as authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or uninvolved. Then write a paper describing your observations (sex of parent, sex of child, type of conflict, number of other children present, number of other individuals present, time & location of conflict) and providing a rationale for the classifications. Be sure to consider the role of context in the parent’s behavior. You should observe at least 4 or 5 sets of parents and children.

Paper For Above instruction

The examination of parenting styles through observational analysis provides valuable insights into how parents manage conflict with their children across various public settings. This activity involved observing at least five different parent-child pairs in locations such as parks, shopping malls, toy stores, and checkout counters within retail environments. The primary objective was to classify the parenting approach—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, or uninvolved—based on observed behaviors, while considering contextual factors influencing parent-child interactions.

In each observation, detailed data was recorded, including the sex of the parent and child, the nature of the conflict, the number of other children and individuals present, as well as the specific time and location. These contextual details are crucial as they often influence parental responses and conflict management strategies.

A typical scenario involved a mother and her young son at a checkout counter. The conflict emerged when the child expressed a desire for candy, which the mother refused due to store policies. In this case, the mother maintained a firm stance yet displayed warmth through patient explanations. Based on the observed control and responsiveness, this parent was classified as authoritative, characterized by setting clear boundaries while fostering communication and understanding. Laible and Thompson (2011) emphasize that authoritative parenting promotes emotional regulation and social competence in children.

Another observed case involved a father with two children in a park. The children were arguing over a toy, and the father responded with strict commands, insisting that they share without explaining the reasoning behind his authority. This behavior aligns with authoritarian parenting, which emphasizes control and obedience over open dialogue. Such a style often suppresses the child's autonomy and can hinder emotional development, as discussed by Baumrind (1966).

In a shopping mall, a mother demonstrated permissive parenting when her teenage daughter requested to browse in a store longer. The mother acquiesced, allowing the girl to explore freely without setting explicit rules or limits. This laidback approach reflects a permissive style characterized by warmth but low behavioral control (Maccoby & Martin, 1983). While fostering a positive relationship, permissive parenting can sometimes lead to difficulties in self-regulation for children.

Throughout the observations, it was evident that the context, such as the location and the presence of other individuals, influenced parental responses. For instance, parents appeared more lenient or authoritative depending on whether they perceived the environment as safe or high-stakes. The presence of other children often heightened the parent's attention to fairness and discipline. Age and sex of children also played roles; parents often responded more protectively and leniently to younger children, especially girls.

Overall, the classifications of parenting styles derived from these observations align with established frameworks found in Chapter 12 of the textbook. While individual behaviors varied, a common pattern emerged: authoritative parents balanced warmth with structure, authoritarian parents emphasized control, permissive parents prioritized warmth and low control, and uninvolved parents showed minimal responsiveness. These styles were not static; parents sometimes shifted depending on situational stressors or environmental cues.

In conclusion, observing real-life interactions offers nuanced understanding of how parental control and warmth manifest in everyday conflicts. Recognizing the influence of context is fundamental to understanding parenting behaviors and their impacts on child development. These insights underscore the importance of balanced parenting styles that foster emotional security and social competence in children.

References

• Baumrind, D. (1966). Effects of authoritative parental control on child behavior. Child Development, 37(4), 887-906.
• Laible, D., & Thompson, R. A. (2011). Mother–child conflict and children’s social competence: The moderating role of maternal warmth. Developmental Psychology, 47(4), 1074–1087.
• Maccoby, E. E., & Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent-child interaction. Handbook of child psychology, 4, 1-101.
• Robinson, C. C., Mandleco, B., Olsen, S. F., & Hart, C. H. (2001). The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). Handbook of Family Measurement Techniques, 319-321.
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• Rothbart, M. K., & Bates, J. E. (2006). Temperament. In N. Eisenberg (Ed.), The handbook of child psychology: Vol. 3. Social, emotional, and personality development (6th ed., pp. 105-176). Wiley.