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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

Imaad Dada
Research writing
Professor Sgarioto
22 April 2014

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

Abstract: Parenting is known to be one of the most difficult tasks to do as an

adult. Every parent wants their child to succeed but sometimes they go out of the
limits and become an authoritarian parent. Authoritarian parenting is the strictest
way of parenting and sometimes do make children more successful in means of
academics but many physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental problems arise
with authoritarian parenting. The journal Social Work amongst many other
journals talks about the many negative effects caused by authoritarian parenting.
The conclusion of this paper was that physical, behavioral, emotional, and mental
problems were caused from authoritarian parenting.

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

Parenting is one of the most difficult tasks that many adults have to face. A child is
sensitive and without proper parenting, the childs life can be completely different in the future.
Parenting a child will shape the child for their entire lives. Many parents try to parent their
children in ways that have proven successful before by themselves or other parents. Although
there are infinite possibilities of parenting, parenting has four main styles which include
authoritarian parenting along with authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Researcher Cherry
(n.d.) explains authoritarian parents tend to be strict and set harsh rules for their children and
expect too much from them. Permissive parents have low expectations and rarely discipline their
children however; they are nurturing and caring about their children. Uninvolved parents seem to
not care about their kids. They do not set proper goals providing very little communication and
nurture. Children from uninvolved parents mature slower. Lastly, authoritative parenting is a
parenting style where rules and discipline are shown, but does not have as strict enforcement due
to the fact that the parents cut more slack for their children. All of these parenting styles have
their pluses and minuses but many people perceive authoritarian parenting to be the best for their
childrens future. Although authoritarian parenting might seem like a good way of parenting, it
isnt. Many people believe that authoritarian parenting will provide success in the childs future.
As the researcher Grose (2014) explains, authoritarian parenting began receiving more and more
attention when the tiger mom complex was a relevant topic. Amu Chua was a very strict parent
and strove to raise her children to be perfect. She had very strict rules, demanding that her
children perform tasks perfectly. She made sure that her kids got perfect grades, plaid music
perfectly, etc. Many people didnt like these qualities about her parenting but she continued to
use the authoritarian parenting style because she believed it was good for her children. This up

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

rise caused many people to think that authoritarian parenting is a good parenting style. Although
method of parenting because it leads to many negative effects to the child.
What is authoritarian parenting
Just like authoritarian parenting, there are many other parenting styles. Hibbart and
Walton (2014) argue that authoritarian parenting is the strictest out of the four parenting styles, as
compared to: authoritative, uninvolved, and permissive. Authoritarian parents are literally strict
in every way, shape, and form. Their expectation of perfection from their children makes them
lack proper nourishment. Authoritarian parents are highly demanding and directive, but not
responsive. They are obedience- and status-oriented, and expect their orders to be obeyed
without explanation (Darling, n.d.). In other words, these parents demand a lot from their
children without explaining to them why they are demanding those actions. Chin and Sim (2014)
confirm this by mentioning that because I told you so is a common response from authoritarian
parents when children ask them why they need to do what was told. Authoritarian parents expect
everything they say to be done, and done perfectly. It is their belief that if children learn to do
what they are told, they will have an easier time achieving success in the future. Discipline seems
to be the main goal of authoritarian parents. This parenting tactic is akin boot camp, the
exception being not as harsh for the most part. Authoritarian parents sprout fear in their children
so they do what they want them to do. Authoritarian parents dont take excuses lightly and dont
expect their children to make any excuses either. According to Chin and Sim (2014),
authoritarian parents dont negotiate and expect everything they said to be done. For example, if
a child was demanded to read fifty pages, and only read forty eight, he/she would be punished.
Although authoritarian parents seem like they want the best for their child because they care for
them, the perception is otherwise due to the fact that authoritarian parents dont seem to

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

accurately portray their care and love to their child (Darling, n.d.). Also, authoritarian parents
seem to want their child to act and think exactly like them, planning to control and shape their
children just the way they want (Darling, n.d.). Although every parent wants the best for their
children, letting children find out who they are on their own is one of the important aspects of
life. Many people consider tiger parents, helicopter parents, and strict parents portraying the
authoritarian parenting style, so it doesnt matter which name is used for them, the effects and
outcomes are expected to be the same. Even after all the strictness, people choose to be
authoritarian parents due to the fact that they think it will help their child to achieve success
(specifically academically). Especially in the economy today, a good career is needed to support
a family. A good education is usually needed to support a family. Throughout the paper, the
falsehood of this assertion will be shown along with many other reasons why authoritarian
parenting is not a good way to raise a child.
Negative physical effects of authoritarian parenting
Physical effects are just one aspect demonstrating the negatives of authoritarian
parenting. Physical effects are those that can be seen on the child externally. One example of
physical effects of authoritarian parenting is physical damage done to the child by means of
corporal punishment for bad behavior, etc. Researchers Aslam and Sartaj (2010) declare that
authoritarian parents physically hurt their children when they misbehave to scare them from
doing it again. Authoritarian parents use fear as discipline. Although discipline is pretty much
necessary in parenting, physical violence has been highly frowned upon in ethical ways, and
based upon documented research. Authoritarian parents hurt their kids as a punishment to scare
them away from doing something, or in some cases, scare them into doing something.
Researchers Akai, Bowkowski, Comas, Nuttall and Valentino (2012) concluded that Harsh

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

physical punishment is associated with significant maladaptive outcomes including aggression,
violence, and delinquency in children (p. 172-181). Based upon these findings many children
reflect the environments they are raised in, and learning violent behavior will cause them to
reflect it out warding in different scenarios such as when they are parents, or in social activities
such as school or parties, or even being in a public place. Aggression and violence can affect
children throughout their entire lives. A child can have trouble making friends if they act in an
aggressive matter, which can cause even more social issues. If the childs aggression is triggered
too far in the future such as in a personal relationship, work, etc. it could completely ruin his/her
life. Besides factors relating to violence, authoritarian parenting causes other physical effects as
well. Aslam and Sartaj (2010) propose the fact that children suffer from tiredness and fatigue by
trying to please their parents enthusiastically. Children are in a constant struggle and are stressed
doing the efforts involved in many things to please their parents. Authoritarian parents are known
to expect too much from their children, so children tire themselves out from doing all the
activities their parents want them to do. Although tiredness and fatigue are common, it could
have several indirect effects such as acquiring a weaker immune system due to lack of sleep etc.
Rest is necessary as well as play time for children. There are reasons elementary schools have
recess. A child should definitely be prepared for the future, but having fun is a necessary part of
childhood. Aside from uncontrollable physical effects such as these from authoritarian parenting,
a very saddening physical effect can also take effect due to authoritarian parenting. Emotional
issues derived from authoritarian parenting such as those explained later can cause children to
physically hurt themselves due to all the stress. Aslam and Sartaj (2010) note that high stress
levels in children can make them do risky behavior such as hurting themselves via cutting or
other forms of that sort. Children are so pressured, stressed out and their feelings are bottled up,

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

due to the fact that they dont have anyone to talk to about the stress. Children with authoritarian
parents might not want to talk to their parents about issues bothering them due to the fact that
they might think their parents will only make it worse by telling them to get over it or something
of that sort. Authoritarian parents dont comfort their children so the child doesnt seek them out
for help. Several physical effects correlate with authoritarian parenting which show why it is the
worse out of the four parenting styles. Physical effects are just one reason that authoritarian
parenting is the worst parenting style to use.
Negative behavioral effects of authoritarian parenting
Just like authoritarian parenting causes negative physical effects, it causes negative
behavioral effects as well. Authoritarian parenting causes children to become involved in risky
behavior. Authoritarian parenting can lead children to cope with drugs and alcohol from all the
stress. Drugs and alcohol are a lot easier to get to than people think and when children with
authoritarian parents are stressed they seek to get away from reality resorting to drugs whether
its occasional or used often. Researchers Bastos, Paiva, and Ronzani (1996) present the fact that
authoritarian paternal parenting styles were closer to and directly correlated with alcohol use
(p. 1011-1021). Drugs and alcohol can change a person and can make someone end up in a lot of
trouble whether it is with law enforcement or with the wrong people. Turning to drugs and
alcohol is one out of many behavioral effects inflicted by authoritarian parenting. Drugs and
alcohol are dangerous in many ways, shapes, and forms but are mostly used when someone
needs to cope with something. Drugs, even alcohol, can be very addicting for children with
stressors. Children of authoritarian parenting can start drugs when they are young and dont
know much about them and could get addicted without even realizing it. Children from
authoritarian parents dont have friends or family to talk to and cope with about problems so they

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

turn to drugs and alcohol. Besides getting involved with drugs and alcohol, having authoritarian
parents can change ones behavior towards others. Due to being raised by so much strictness,
children from authoritarian parents mistreat people. Darling (n.d.) acknowledges that children
with authoritarian parents have poorer social skills. Social skills dictate how children will act
with other children/people throughout the whole course of their lives. Having social skills is an
asset to everyday life. Although academics and athleticism can be very good assets to have in the
future, children cant succeed with poor social skills.
Besides having poor social skills, Researchers Fousiana, Georgiuo and Michaelides
(2013) mention that children raised by authoritarian parents dont care about other aspects of life
due to the fact that they thought that their parents didnt care for them. Having poor social skills
along with not caring for anything causes a horrible behavior in children such as bullying peers,
having a hard time making friends, etc. In fact, Fousiana, Georgiuo, and, Michaelides (2013)
state children who bully their peers are more likely to come from families where parents use
authoritarian, harsh, and punitive child-rearing practices (p. 69-78). Being a bully will get one
know where in life but, just like any other aspect learned from parents, becoming a bully is
learned from the aggressive behavior of authoritarian parents. Due to being treated poorly by
parents, children will treat others the way they were treated. Aside from growing up to be a bully,
children with authoritarian parents are more involved in bullying in general whether it is the
child being the bully or the victim. The children can be the bully due to the fact that they want to
take their anger out on someone, or they could just perceive it as normal. Also, those children can
be victims as well due to the fact that they think they deserve to be treated like that and never
learn to stand up for themselves. Fousiana, Georgiuo, and Michaelides (2013) observe that
children with authoritarian parents are more likely to be involved in being both the bully, and the

Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

victim. Although it could be argued that being a victim in a bullying scenario is a random and
uncontrollable factor, it really isnt. Children with authoritarian parents can have a hard time
standing up for themselves, have social problems, or other issues that could make them the target
of bullying.
As well as these behavioral problems, authoritarian parenting can play an effect on the
childs academics. Arguably, the main reason for being an authoritarian parent is to help the child
succeed in life. In todays times academic achievement and success are highly correlated. Hard
work does pay off but sometimes behaviors need to be established as well as good academics to
truly get the full potential of success. After the tiger mom story reached all over the world,
parents started to believe that authoritarian parenting will cause their child to become an over
achiever speaking in academic terms. Contrary to popular belief, the authoritarian parenting style
doesnt raise children to achieve more academically. Authoritarian parenting is usually a lot more
common in Asia. Chen, Johnston, and Suet-ling (2010) point at that Authoritarian parenting has
no signicant impact on Asian-American adolescents grades (p. 62-72). Many people
stereotype Asian culture for being very strict on academics along with authoritarian parenting.
Authoritarian parenting is a lot more common in Asian culture while authoritative parenting is a
lot more common in American culture. Many people believe that authoritarian parenting
improves the academic performance of children; however, authoritarian parenting doesnt assist
or improve the childs ability to learn and his/her academic performance. This proved that the
one benefit of authoritarian parenting, academic success, doesnt even get positively affected by
authoritarian parenting. Besides from having no positive effect on grades, researchers Chen,
Johnston, and Suet-ling (2010) suggest that contrary to popular belief, authoritarian parenting
actually has a negative outcome on children. This study was done in Taiwan and a similar study

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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

was done in the U.S as well. According to the tests, authoritarian parenting negatively correlates
with grades in both, Taiwan, and the U.S (Chen, Johnston, and Suet-ling, 2010). Being involved
in risky behavior, having social issues, and having bad performance in school are just a few
behavioral effects out of many different negative effects generated from authoritarian parenting.
Negative emotional effects of authoritarian parenting
Emotions strongly dictate how a person will act for their entire life. Emotions can have a
huge impact on anyones mindset as well as their actions. Although emotions are natural,
controlling emotions is learned throughout ones life. If one cant properly control their
emotions, this lack of control can lead themselves to a lot of trouble such as loss of relationships,
depression, etc. Authoritarian parenting styles tamper with childrens emotions. Aggression is
one example of emotions being tampered in children from authoritarian parenting. Fousiana,
Georgiuo, and Michaelides (2013) explain that children raised by authoritarian parents have
power imbalances which lead to aggression. Having aggression towards others can dictate ones
life in a negative way, it can cause negative relationships whether it be with friends, co-workers
etc. Everything a child learns when he/she is young, will be an asset to the future. Due to the fact
that punishments from authoritarian parents are portrayed in an aggressive manner, children learn
and believe aggressive behavior is normal. Authoritarian parents dont seem to care about their
children so the children dont fully learn how to deal effectively with emotions. Aside from
emotional balances, a child with authoritarian parents has difficulties adjusting their emotions.
Emotions can be rough to deal with but parents can play a huge part in the adjustment of children
such as teaching them how to properly cope with sadness, aggression, etc. Aslam and Sartaj
(2010) state children with authoritarian parents have negative relationship with home, health
and emotional adjustment (p. 47-66). Emotional adjustment is a vital part in ones life and

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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

emotions dictate how someone thinks and acts without proper emotional adjustment, a wide
variety of problems can derive along with the same problems of having aggression such as
difficulties with relationships, etc. Sadness and aggression are feelings that everyone feels but
eventually let go of. Children with authoritarian parents dont know how to let go of negative
emotions. Aggression and emotional imbalances are derived from authoritarian parenting due to
the several attributes of authoritarian parenting such as being too strict and not showing the child
that they can be trusted and talked to when the child needs it. Controlling emotions and
emotional adjustment are disrupted due to authoritarian parenting which shows that the
authoritarian parenting style shouldnt be used.
Negative mental effects of authoritarian parenting
The human brain is a very strong yet fragile aspect to the human body. The brain is
fragile due to the fact that too much stress can cause mental problems. As mentioned earlier,
authoritarian causes stress and fatigue in children. Self-esteem is how one sees them self. By
preventing children from exercising control over their own behaviors and learning from their
mistakes, authoritarian parents inadvertently may be rearing children to believe that they are not
responsible for what happens to them. Authoritarian parenting style has repeatedly been found
correlated with negative self-perceptions (Aslam and Sartaj, 2010, p. 47-66). As stated earlier,
authoritarian parents often feel they have to be right and have everything go their way. Aslam
and Sartaj (2010) state, These parents tell the adolescent not to argue or question adults and
instead of explaining or reasoning, admonish their children by telling them that they will
understand better when they are grown up. Due to this, children with authoritarian parents dont
learn to think on their own and are taught to act and judge as their parents do due to them
thinking that its right. They set rules which cannot be challenged, rarely explaining why

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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

obedience is required and often rely on power tactics to ensure compliance (p. 47-66). Everyone
makes mistakes, but learning from them can be very helpful. Authoritarian parents are known to
not explain to their child why something is wrong, which doesnt teach the child anything
positive. A positive self-esteem is also generated from independence. One must find who they are
to have a positive self-esteem which is hard to do when one cant think on behalf of themselves.
Although authoritarian parents portray independence in some ways, children with authoritarian
parents lack independence due to the fact that they will only do what their parents want them to.
Nguyen (2008) states that low self reliance is an effect of authoritarian parenting. Children with
authoritarian parents cant think for themselves because they rely on having their parents set
rules for them etc. Also, they cant think for themselves due to the fact that they might have been
punished for something that they wanted to do. Along with low self esteem, anxiety also takes
effect in children with authoritarian parenting. Aslam and Sartaj (2010) state that due to the lack
of self-identification, children with authoritarian parenting have anxiety issues. Anxiety can
cause social frustrations and can be a problem when completing an everyday activity. Anxiety
can even develop into further maladaptive behavior causing even worse issues such as
depression, etc. Anxiety and low self-esteem are correlated, and are both different mental effects
caused by authoritarian parenting.
The style of authoritarian parenting along with the negative physical, behavioral,
emotional, and mental problems prove that authoritarian parenting shouldnt be used. Parents
should raise their child to achieve, yet also to be human, not perfect. There is no such thing as
perfect and using the authoritarian parenting style will make a child far from perfect. As many
people grow, they miss their childhood. Of course children should be given some responsibility,
however if they are loaded with hard tasks and responsibilities and have no time for fun, or to

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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

discover whom they are, it could negatively impact their entire life. Although some people
believe authoritarian parenting leads to benefits, it only leads to negative effects such as
depression, social issues, anxiety, bad academic performance, etc. How someone was parented
will dictate almost every aspect of a childs entire life. When a child is growing up he/she
absorbs many aspects of what his/her parents teach and without proper parenting, a childs life
could be completely different. Parenting can be tough, but surely authoritarian parenting should
not be considered, based upon many proven negative effects it causes.

References

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Running header: Negative effects of authoritarian parenting

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