I have to say that I was blessed with pretty good parents. Observing the iniative of many of you progressiveu bloggers, I'm assuming that you guys had pretty good parents too. Well, the interesting thing is that even though I don't like blaming anyone but myself for my shortfallings, more and more research has shown that parenting plays a big role in a child's success in early childhood and later life.
There are four main categories of parenting styles according to this lady named Barimound. First there is the authoritative parent who is warm and involved in their child's life, but who is also high on demandingness. There are authoritarian parents who are also high on demandingness, but who aren't warm and involved like the authoritative parents. There are permissive parents who are warm and involved but not in the least demanding. Finally, there are ambivalent parents who aren't warm and involved and aren't demanding. Pretty much, the kid is left on his/her own for these parents.
Well, kids who have authoritative parents show the highest academic gains and the most social development. Authoritarian children often show high anxiety and hostility when facing an obstacle and are more gender typed. Permissive children show little initiative in new tasks and often have troubles with emotional self-regulation. Neglected children show lacks of academic achievement and anti-social behavior.
So I guess we can actually blame mom and dad for our bad grade on a test. Well, to an extent. But I guess since my parents fall in the authoritative range, I have to thank them for my successes.
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