Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

 Parenting Styles and Social Development.
Parents’ child-rearing practices are 
critical in shaping their children’s social competence. According to classic research 
by developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind, four main categories describe 
different parenting styles (Figure 8). Rigid and punitive,  authoritarian parents 
value unquestioning obedience from their children. They have strict standards and 
discourage expressions of disagreement.  Permissive parents  give their children 
relaxed or inconsistent direction and, although they are warm, require little of 
FIGURE 7 
According to a study by the 
National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development, children were 
more likely to spend time in some kind 
of child care outside the home or family 
as they got older. 
(Source: NICHD, 2006).
Age of child
11%
12%
21%
31%
36%
0
22%
9%
13%
10%
10%
20%
13%
8%
7%
12%
7%
4%
54%
Percentage of Children
4½ Years
3 Years
6 Months
Mother
Child care home
Center
Father
Grandparent
In home
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
authoritarian parents 
Parents who are 
rigid and punitive and value unques-
tioning obedience from their children.
permissive parents 
Parents who give 
their children relaxed or inconsistent 
direction and, although they are warm, 
require little of them.
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