Bullying and parenting style: there is a connection

August 23, 12:08 PMParenting ExaminerKaren Deerwester

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parenting style matters (source)

It should come as no surprise to learn that how parents interact with their children effect how their children treat others.  Science Daily reports on findings presented at the American Sociological Association  earlier this month that "children raised by authoritarian parents - parents who are demanding, directive and unresponsive - are the most prone to act out bullying behavior".

One of the first steps in solving the problem of bullying is to start at home with the best possible parenting practices.  This isn't to say that parents must be perfect.  It does say that parents have a choice to communicate and act effectively or not. 

There are three types of parenting styles: authoritative (the parent who expects much with loving guidance); authoritarian (the "because I said so" always-in-control parent); and the permissive (want-to-be-your-friend, child-runs-the-show parent).  The authoritative parent is the most effective, and now, research shows is the one parenting syle least likely to raise a bully.

Thanks to Stephanie Englander, mom and educator, for sharing this news with me - and especially for sharing her insights on parenting and family.