This web site discusses the three parenting styles of Diane Baumrind, along with attachment parenting.  It also provides a link to a site where you can test your knowledge on these styles.

1.  Authoritarian parents strictly enforce their authority over their children.  They value obedience even at the expense of the child's autonomy.  These parents do not encourage verbal give and take.  They believe that their children should accept parental authority without question and tend to be harsh.

2.  Permissive parents are those who give children as much freedom as possible and place few expectations on them.  Permissive parents tend to have children who are friendly, self-assertive, and have high self-esteem, but low levels of compliance and impulse control.  This site has quotes from different sources about permissive parents.

3.  Authoritative parents tend to have children who are independent, self-assertive, friendly, cooperative with parents, high in self-esteem, and achievement oriented.  This site will explain both authoritative parenting styles and permissive parenting styles.

4.  Attachment Parenting -- This site provides information on general attachment parenting.  It includes the basic components of nurturing, instinctive parenting styles.  It list many ways to form an early connection with your child.

Diane Baumrind -- Some of the best known studies of parenting styles have been done by Diane Baumrind.  Her research identified three main styles that varied according to degree of parenting control.  This site labels and discusses them in great detail -- permissive, authoritative, authoritarian.

Take a test -- Test your knowledge of these parenting styles.  Just click on this site and it will let you take a test question on the parenting styles.  Go ahead!  See if you know the answer.

Created by Heather Pierce for Dr. Lewis.
Last updated 11/10/99.