Supportive or Strict? Your Parenting Style May Line Up With Your Politics

Key findings

Political leanings correlate with the values ​​parents want to instill in their children. Mothers who describe themselves as liberal say that teaching their children kindness (56%), happiness (55%) and empathy (51%) is a priority. Conservative mothers, on the other hand, say they want to instill respect (53%), faith/spirituality (49%) and honesty (46%).

Political affiliation is also consistent with the way mothers raise their children. Liberal moms are more likely to describe her style as “cute.” "caring" and "loving," while her conservative peers tend to describe her upbringing as "religious/spiritual," "strict," and "structured.""

Most mothers consider themselves moderate. The middle of the spectrum represents 53% of the respondents and tends to combine the two approaches of liberal and conservative parents.

Politics stubbornly creeps into the way we see the world, behave, and even become parents. In a recent survey by Everyday Health Group, parent company of What to Expect, more than 3,800 new and expectant mothers rated their identity politics and then answered questions about their parenting style and the values ​​they want to instill in their children. Along political lines, some clear differences in parenting have emerged.

"You can really tell a lot about a person's political preferences by looking at what they say about their parenting style and what they think is appropriate parenting," says Daniel Oppenheimer Opens a new window, PhD, professor of psychology and decision sciences at Carnegie Mellon University examines how parenting style predicts political beliefs. "There are certain basic personality traits that people possess, and those personality traits determine their preferences in many, many areas - including parenting and politics.""

Liberal mothers describe their upbringing as kind

, mothers who described themselves as the most liberal were more likely than conservative mothers to choose kindness (56%), happiness (55%) and empathy (51%) as the principles they like to live in their lives would impress . Children. They were also more likely to use descriptions of kind, considerate, supportive, loving, environmentally conscious, and forgiving to reflect their parenting style.

Why do people practice authoritarian parenting?

There are many reasons why parents may adopt an authoritarian parenting style. According to Michigan State University, the factors that contribute to parents tending toward this style may be cultural or stem from their own upbringing. Others may think that a disciplined approach is the best way to achieve compliance.

Some studies suggest that a combination of factors makes parents more likely to adopt an authoritarian style.For example, a 2018 study examining parenting personality and style found that parents' personality traits and attachment style, child's temperament, level of social support, and partner satisfaction were determining factors. On Parenting Styles1,

, , permissive mothers scored high on neuroticism. The study authors explain that high levels of neuroticism typically indicate anxiety and emotional instability, which can interfere with empathetic parenting.

The Benefits of Authoritarian Parenting

There's no question that children raised by authoritarian parents are often the best-behaved kids in the room. Because they know there will be "big problems" if they get out of line. However, the benefits of authoritarian parenting are limited and short-lived.

However, parents can use a few key parenting principles in combination with other styles to produce well-mannered but healthy and well-rounded children. DRNalin lists some of the benefits of authoritarian parenting below.

Good manners

In an authoritative parenting style, the rules are clear. This gives children a good understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. They are also very sensitive to the negative consequences of bad behavior and therefore avoid thinking outside the box.

Safety

An authoritarian parenting places a high value on emotional and physical safety, which minimizes risky behaviors in your child.Children who understand the consequences of a harmful activity are more likely to give up.

, Great Achievements

children raised by responsible parents follow detailed plans that include specific instructions. Thanks to this structure, children can understand what steps need to be taken to achieve the goal.