Permissive Parenting: A Different Approach to Raising Your Children
As a parent, nobody knows your child better than you do. You understand your child’s needs, wants, and personality like nobody else.
Parenting is one of the most challenging things that a person could experience in their life. It can be daunting to decide which parenting style to use since there are many different parenting styles each with its pros and cons.
In this article, we will be discussing permissive parenting, what it is, why people use it, and its benefits.
Definition of Permissive Parenting
Permissive parenting is a parenting style that is defined by very few limits, and children are allowed to do whatever they want. Permissive parenting is also known as indulgent parenting.
Indulgent parents do not set any boundaries, restrictions, or rules for their children. Children raised with permissive parenting have free reign to make their decisions, and they have little guidance.
Parents who utilize this type of parenting don’t have rules or consequences for disobedience, and they are lenient when their children break the rules.
Motives of Permissive Parenting
There are many reasons why some parents favor the permissive parenting style. One reason is that permissive parenting promotes a good relationship between parent and child.
Parents who want to build a close relationship with their children may prefer to use this method. With permissive parenting, the parent is seen as a friend more than a parent.
Additionally, some parents use permissive parenting because they want to avoid conflict. This parenting style is known to be conflict-free, and parents who prioritize this enjoy a peaceful relationship with their children.
Finally, some parents use permissive parenting as a compensatory reaction to their strict upbringing.
Pros of Permissive Parenting
Relationship Priority
Permissive parenting prioritizes a happy relationship between parent and child. Rather than focusing on control and discipline, the permissive parent focuses on achieving closeness with their children.
Children raised with permissive parenting tend to have a good relationship with their parents. They are more likely to talk to their parents about their problems, feelings, successes, and worries since the parent is seen as a friend.
Minimal Conflict
Permissive parenting is known for being conflict-free. Parents who use this method do not enforce any rules or regulations.
When children do not abide by the rules, permissive parents do not punish their children. The emphasis is on avoiding conflict and having a peaceful relationship with their kids.
Children raised with permissive parenting are less likely to suffer emotionally from overtly strict or abusive behavior.
Encourages Creativity
Permissive parenting encourages free-thinking in children. Without the limitations of rules, children have more freedom to experiment and think critically.
Children who have the freedom to explore and be creative in decision-making often excel in creative thinking and problem-solving tasks.
Cons of Permissive Parenting
Power Struggle
Permissive parenting can lead to a power struggle between the parent and the child. Since the child is in charge of their demands, they tend to become bossy, and they try to dictate their desires.
When they realize that there are no limitations to their wants, they become difficult to reason with, and the power struggle increases. This can lead to parents feeling powerless and incapable of managing their children.
Clash Between Wants and Needs
Permissive parenting can create an unhealthy clash between the child’s wants and needs. Without limitations, children can make unwise choices.
As a result, parents have to guide their children towards appropriate behavior. However, in permissive parenting, parents can feel limited in their ability to direct their children in the right direction.
When there is a clash between the child’s desires and the necessities, it can create chaos and confusion, which can be damaging to the child.
Lack of Motivation
Permissive parenting can lead to children becoming unmotivated. Children thrive on guidelines, rules, and boundaries, and when there are none, they may feel lacking in direction.
In permissive parenting, there is no motivation for them to work hard and achieve success. They may become complacent, not feeling any incentive to do better since there are no standards or expectations in place for them.
Critical Compromises
With permissive parenting comes a high level of critical compromises. Parents allow bad behavior to slide and make sacrifices so that their children can maintain their freedom.
In some cases, these compromises can lead to unwise choices, putting children at risk for physical and emotional harm. Lack of boundaries can lead to poor decision-making by children since they did not learn appropriate behavior at an early age.
Lack of Self-Discipline
Permissive parenting can hinder the development of self-discipline in children. Without clear cause-and-effect relationships, children can struggle to understand the consequences of their actions.
In permissive parenting, children may lack the necessary discipline to face challenges and setbacks in life. They may not understand the importance of delayed gratification and self-control, which can create significant problems later in life.
Blurred Lines Between Parent and Child
In permissive parenting, the lines between parent and child can become blurred. While having a close relationship with a child is desirable, overly permissive parenting can cause children to act out against their parents.
This disrespect can occur when children feel like they can do anything they want, and the parents are powerless to stop them. Trust and respect can quickly become undermined, and the close relationship can backfire.
Conclusion
While permissive parenting may offer some benefits, it is not without its drawbacks. Power struggles, clashes between wants and needs, lack of motivation, critical compromises, lack of self-discipline, and blurred lines between parent and child are some of the cons of permissive parenting.
As a parent, it is essential to find balance, to set boundaries, enforce rules, and communicate those expectations effectively to ensure the child’s healthy and well-rounded development. Parenting is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and effort.
The parenting style you choose can have a significant impact on your child’s development, behavior, and future. In this article, we have discussed permissive parenting, its definition, motives, and pros and cons.
While prioritizing a good relationship between parent and child, permissive parenting can lead to a power struggle, lack of boundaries, lack of motivation, critical compromises, lack of self-discipline, and blurred lines between parent and child. As a parent, it’s essential to find a balance that encourages children to explore their creativity while enforcing age-appropriate limitations.
Ultimately, it’s all about creating an environment that fosters healthy social, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development for your child. Making thoughtful and intentional parenting choices that prioritize your child’s well-being can help you build a strong, respectful, and loving relationship with your child that will last a lifetime.
