What are some real-life examples of authoritarian parenting in action?
Authoritarian parenting involves strict discipline, high expectations, and little warmth or flexibility. Examples include parents who enforce rigid rules without explanation, punish mistakes harshly, or expect obedience without question. For instance, a parent who insists a child must always follow rules without discussing why or disregards the child’s feelings is exhibiting authoritarian traits. This style may lead to children developing less independence, lower self-esteem, and difficulty expressing emotions.
Authoritarian parenting often shows as strict rules with little warmth—like demanding chores done immediately without explanation, or punishing mistakes harshly. For example, a parent saying, “Because I said so,” and enforcing curfews without discussion. Research (Baumrind, 1966) links this style to compliance but also increased anxiety in children.
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Examples: • “Because I said so—end of talk” when a rule is questioned (Baumrind 1966). • 8 p.m. curfew; 1-minute late = loss of phone for a week. • Posted chore chart; any slip earns extra chores. • Report card with a B triggers immediate grounding. • Parent reads teen’s texts without notice. Such rigid control predicts higher anxiety and lower self-esteem (Gershoff 2013). Warm, consistent limits work better.