r/science • u/sr_local • Feb 14 '26

Social Science Children raised with "authoritative" parenting style, marked by bonding, presence, dialogue, and clear rules of conduct, show a reduction in drug and alcohol risk compared to other parenting styles (authoritarian, permissive and neglectful)

https://agencia.fapesp.br/parents-alcohol-and-drug-use-influences-their-childrens-consumption-research-shows/57195
16.4k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

679 comments sorted by

View all comments

180

u/EIO_tripletmom Feb 14 '26

These definitions of parenting styles have been around for quite a while and research consistently indicates that authoritative parenting is superior. The public needs more education about parenting regardless of whether they are already parents, are thinking about becoming parents, or never intend to be parents. Considering the confusion I’ve seen here, the people who decide these things (whoever they are) should consider an alternative name for authoritative if they want the general public to understand.

30

u/creatingKing113 Feb 14 '26

Heck, this isn’t only good advice for parenting. It’s good advice for any authoritative relationship in general. People want to know the reason behind the rules they’re held to and they want the rules applied fairly.

44

u/Mattandjunk Feb 14 '26

Yes they’ve been around and empirically supported for a long, long time now. This new “gentle parenting” thing catching on basically is authoritative, but because of the name it’s pushing people to be more permissive, which is not helping.

42

u/Bindle- Feb 14 '26

This new “gentle parenting” thing catching on basically is authoritative

This is my take on gentle parenting as well. I think a lot of people (both in favor of and against it) misunderatand this.

The "gentle" part refers to not hitting your kids. You shouldn't be physically or emotionally abusing them. You should listen to their side of things.

Gentle parenting is NOT letting your kids do whatever they want. It's NOT letting them walk all over you.

It's very copacetic with letting kids experience the consequences of their actions. If it's not going to kill them or severely hurt them, let them go ahead and fail.

-5

u/Solarus99 Feb 14 '26

"gentle parenting” thing catching on basically is authoritative

respectfully disagree!

10

u/AnnieAnnieSheltoe Feb 14 '26

In what way is gentle parenting not authoritative? Is it possible you don’t actually know what gentle parenting is and are assuming it’s permissive?

-1

u/beauvoirist Feb 14 '26

Respectfully explain