Parenting Styles

In Kohn's theory, parent's can follow two parenting styles: Conformity and Self Direction.  Parents who used the Conformity style valued supervision and rules.  On the other hand, parents who used Self Direction focused more on development of child's motives and curiosity.  Kohn's Conformity style is more prevalent with working class parents, while the Self Direction style is more prevalent with higher class parents.

Baumrind's theory combines three styles called Authoritative, Permissive, and Authoritarian. Authoritative parents simultaneously use control and compassion with their children. Parents who are Permissive are less controlling, focusing more on the caring, nurturing aspect of parenting.  Lastly, Authoritarian parents focus most on control, leaving out many of the supportive characteristics of the other types.

The last theory is from Laurea who believes in Concerted Cultivation and Accomplishment of Natural Growth. Parents who use Concerted Cultivation plan out activities for their children in order to help their children's interests grow. On the other hand, parents who utilize the Accomplishment of Natural Growth allow their children more freedom to keep themselves busy without parent's planning.

When I compare these types, it appears that Kohn's Conformity style links with Baumrind's Authoritarian style because they both focus on rules and control. Laurea's theory is different from the rest because it focuses more on activities than discipline and nurturing techniques.

I agree most with the Authoritative theory because I feel that children need control AND compassion. For me, I see this style being especially important in the teen years (as shown in picture) when children need boundaries, but also the confidence to talk to their parents. If these are off-balance, the child-parent relationship will be more difficult.