Running head: PARENTING STYLES FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Parenting styles that affect children during development

Television and Research study
Cameron McKegney
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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Introduction
I was about seven or eight years old sitting in a restaurant with my family, we were all
eating and having a conversation when I hear this baby crying in his carseat in the booth next to us.
The mother of that child did not even do anything to hush the crying baby and left him crying on
his own, it broke my heart. Seeing parents who completely neglect and ignore their kids breaks my
heart and makes me angry at the parents. I have always had the type of parents to tell me what was
right or wrong and was always there for me, without them I would not be who I am today. Parents
have so much of an impact on children nowadays especially in their childhood that is crucial during
their development into an adult.
One Tree Hills character Brooke Davis provides us with key examples of children affected
by inadequate parenting while resulting in a positive effect from Brookes negligent parents. Hands
on and Hands off parenting styles are both completely different in so many ways. Some parents are
all for hands on and some are completely hands off. In the realization both are completely equal
and very essential. Children need structure and guidance just as much as they need independance
while growing up. Brooke learned independance but lacked structure that was visible for all
viewers that can alter anyones perception of parenting as a whole.
In my research I intend to discuss and observe the issue of parenting and what may or may
not be ideal for children during their development, while giving details from the medias skewed
version of parenting and how it can play a role in people's opinions involving parenting.This is an
important subject to me because I have seen the effects of bad parenting. My good friend has had it
rough her whole life, her parents were never around and she was left to fend for herself, similar to
Brooke. As I have always had parents there for me I can see how it has really affected my friend as

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she is entering adulthood. She can be very unreliable and dishonest. Throughout my studies I have
found that parents question how they should raise their children, some say children need discipline
constantly while others say letting them do things on their own is better for them. In my study I
will discuss the importance of both these types of parenting styles and discuss how each one play a
crucial role in a child's development.

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Literature Review
Powell (2012) and Pao (2015) argue the importance of discipline and the affects it has on
teenagers as they are growing up. Structure and discipline are not only beneficial in a child's
development, but teens have agreed they believe structure has helped them throughout their life.
Holding a child accountable for their actions not only prepares them for future task but teaches
responsibility. Hefron (2016) agreeing with Powell and Pao in their terms of discipline and
structure as a pivotal role as a parent suggests I think that Brooke's parents had a negative
influence on her in highschool, which resulted in her sleeping around getting that attention and
nurture from someone since her parents were not giving it to her As they agree they also explain
their studies differently. Powell and Hefron suggest discipline and guidance is essential in order
for their children to become successful. Pao explains how surveys have concluded both children
and adults agree discipline has helped them prepare for the future.
As discipline is important, author and self-proclaimed renegade parent Heather Shumaker
(2016) explains how independence is key and encourages renegade parenting, a parenting style
that many parents don't like to discus. Mckegney (2016) agrees with Shumaker that She was
always left alone and had to figure things out by herself. She did not have much support and
care for her. Somehow this made her who she is, she is someone who is very independent and
does not like to ask for help. They both explain independence helps a child to gain first hand
knowledge, enhances self esteem, prepares them to handle stress, and allows them to choose
what makes them happy. Being independent is not allowing leniency but encouraging children to
figure themselves out without the influence from their parents. Many parents get uncomfortable
with this type of parenting and choose to look the other way. Parenting Taboos described by

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Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkmann's Ted talk (2010) discuss scenarios from parenting that
should never be talked about. Parenting is not something that should be criticized but in today's
world it very much is.
The media not only gives a skewed version of parenting but it leaves many of its viewers
with a different perception on parenting as a whole. Parenting in the media is portrayed
differently than in real life. Fictional shows like Pretty Little Liars shows these high schoolers
running around their town with not much supervision which is very unrealistic to high schoolers
in reality. Are kids watching too much television that may alter their view of how something
should be, causing them to act out? In tv shows directors do whatever gets the most views,
wanting the viewer to connect with a character in order to continue watching. Conflict is key for
an audience but are these conflicts unrealistic? Does Brookes lifestyle create kids to think
differently about their households? (Weldon 2016; Holmes 2015).
Parenting is always being altered. Whether this is from the media, friends or family etc,
deciding when to discipline versus to be lenient is a struggle parents face today.. The collapse of
parenting (2016) compares the issue with parents wanting to be a friend rather than a parent.
Making a point to give children choices in some domains but not in others but supporting them
while still guiding them. Parents are there for guidance and support and without these aspects
children suffer. Keltner (2013) kids with Supportive parents had mean GPAs of 3.4, and kids
with Tiger parents (strict parents) had a 3.0. That's a huge gap.

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Entering the conversation

After reading through all my research, I have concluded that parenting styles have and
will continue to be judged and changed over time. Whether this is in the media or in real life
parenting styles are judged and deciding what is right or wrong is commonly addressed and
discussed. Back in the day people like my father and mother were raised very differently. My
father never seizes to explain to my siblings and I that he grew up working for everything he
wanted. His parents were strict and used negative reinforcement such has being slapped with a
paddle or hit with a belt. As I grew up I did not receive this kind of treatment I was told to sit in
time out or go to my room sometimes having my mouth washed out with soap. Never have
my parents resorted to physical punishment. My father never forgets to explain to me that I have
it way easier than he did and I should be more appreciative. My Mother on the other hand was
raised similar to me she was given everything she needed but was always forced to have a job
from the very age she was able to get one. They are seven years apart and this took interest to me
and I started wondering how and why parenting styles have changed so drastically over time.
I would like to conduct a qualitative study on parenting styles from different generations.
To get the information I want I will ask questions like; What type of household did these people
grow up in? Did they grow up in strict or lenient households? What may happen if they were
caught in a lie or did something wrong? How were they provided wants and needs? Did they
have a job growing up? Was college something that was crucial for them? By asking questions

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like these I can figure out how parenting has changed over time and what was the right parenting
styles that made these people successful.
First I will start create and ad online, maybe craigslist. I will give a brief explanation and
remind people they will be paid for this study. I will go by starting with the baby boomers
generation starting at 1946-1960, then follows Generation X from 1960-1980, and last
Generation Y from 1980-2000s. In each generation I will have a four males and four females
with different ages within the generation. The reason for this is so I can take a few females and a
few males from one decade and compare their household to the other male and female in the
other decade to observe if parenting styles from each decade have changed within one
generation. I will have four of each gender in each generation just in case some decide to drop
the study. I will ask all the same questions for each generation. I will create a list of questions
involving their household and how they were raised. I will print a copy for each person, in total
24 copies, 8 from each generation. Each generation will have all the same questions but to
compare the results each person will have their generation labeled at the top with their name.
1. While growing up what kind of household did you live in? Were your parents
strict or more of lenient type of parents? If so explain how and what your parents
did for you to describe them this way?
2. While growing up were you able to hang out with friends, have sleepovers? Did
you have a curfew? If so what time and if your curfew changed what were the
times?
3. In school were grades very important to your parents? What type of punishments
were given if grades weren't what your parents wanted them to be? Elaborate on a

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time you remember where you were in trouble for something school related and
describe the punishment or no punishment your parents placed.
4. During childhood did you have chores that had to be done? Once reaching middle
or high school did your parents force you to get a job to pay for expenses that you
wanted excluding food, water and shelter?
5. What was a time that you remember when you got into some sort of trouble and
what type of actions did your parents take? Were you grounded or just told to not
do it again hoping you learned your lesson?
6. Towards the end of highschool did your parents and you have a good relationship
or was there tension between each other? Looking back now why do you think
your relationship was the way it was? Do you think you were a good child
growing up or no? Explain.
7. Would you explain your relationship with your parents more of a friendship or
parent? Some people say their parents are their best friend would you agree or
disagree? Explain.
8. Did your parents have a say with what you wore to school or out with friends?
Would they make u change if they did not approve or were you allowed to wear
whatever you wanted?
9. Could you and your parents have open conversations about a boy, friend drama or
did you limit what you said around your parents? If so explain why or why not?
10. While growing up what was one thing you remember that your parents pushed
into your brains, whether this was too get good grades, or the act of responsibility

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etc. What was something you will never forget your parent telling you? Explain if
this helped you now.
11. If you have children now or plan to have children would you raise them the way
you were raised? Do you think times have changed within parenting and some
ways are out of date or socially not acceptable? Explain your reasoning in detail.
All 24 people will be sent home and given a week to think and fill out the form. After the
week they will be required to meet back up and analyze the data. Each generation will compare
their answers and then as a whole everyone's responses will be analyzed. After conducting the
survey I will re-read the responses on my own and using my knowledge I will determine the
outcome of this survey and decide if the survey was accurate and beneficial. This is how I will
conduct my summary of parenting styles adapting over time.

Conclusion
Throughout my research I have analyzed Brooke Davis and the impact her parents had on
her have resulted in both good and bads ways. From that topic I have opened up into parenting
styles as a whole, discussing which methods tend to work best and how the media can portray
parenting whether it is good or bad. I think the importance of authority and independence are key
factors for children and my research has concluded this theory. From my research I felt it was
necessary to add my own real life example from my friend because it not only has opened my
eyes but further explains my topic. What I did discover is that some parents may not know how
much independence to give and sometimes giving too much which is not always good. Being a
good parent in the eyes of the world is tough and always judged. When a child messed up they

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blame the parents, when a child looks a certain way or smells a certain way they blame the
parents, when a child acts a certain way who's to blame? The parents are.
My current research includes articles and studies from experts stating their knowledge
and opinions on parenting. For further research I would study how to put these styles in effect for
future parents or parents wanting to change the way they raise their children. This could help
children be directed in the right direction and prevent them from going down the wrong path
since they are the future.

Works cited page-

Staff, N. (2016). To rebuild the collapse of parenting, its going to be A challenge.

Retrieved September 14, 2016, from npr.org, http://www.npr.org/2016/01/31/465022651/
to-rebuild-the-collapse-of-parenting-it's-going-to-be-a-challenge

Weldon, G. (2016). How the Americans solved the eternal TV problem of the surly teen. Retrieved
September 8, 2016, from npr.org,http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/
2016/06/09/481375494/how-the-americans-solved-the-eternal-tv-problem-of-the-surly-teen

Shumaker, H. (2016). Parenting pitfalls: Renegades, privilege and putting on the boxing gloves.
Retrieved September 8, 2016, from npr.org,http://www.npr.org/2016/05/29/479759136
/parenting-pitfalls-renegades-privilege-and-putting-on-the-boxing-gloves

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Rufus Griscom And Alisa Volkman (2010). Lets talk parenting taboos. Retrieved September 8, 2016,
from Ted.com,https://www.ted.com/talks/
rufus_griscom_alisa_volkman_let_s_talk_parenting_taboos#t-240827

Keltner, K. W. (2013). Children of tiger style parenting May Struggle more. Retrieved
September 14, 2016, from npr.org, http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch
/2013/05/14/183924819/Children-Of-Tiger-Style-Parenting-May-Struggle-More

Micheal Martin. (2011). Independence for kids: When to give it and how much. Retrieved September
8, 2016, from npr.org,http://www.npr.org/
2011/07/19/138510244/independence-for-kids-when-to-give-it-and-how-much

Powell, C. (2013). Kids need structure Retrieved from

Ted.com,https://www.ted.com/talks/colin_powell_kids_need_structure

Holmes, L. (2015). Television 2015: Is there really too much TV? Retrieved September 8, 2016, from
npr.org,http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2015/08/16/
432458841/television-2015-is-there-really-too-much-tv

Pao, M. (2015). The kids have spoken: Discipline helps, trophies for everyone. Retrieved September
8, 2016, from npr.org, http://www.npr.org/2015/10/18/
449157332/the-kids-have-spoken-discipline-helps-trophies-for-everyone

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Mckegney, C. (2016, September 18) Personal Interview.

Hefron, E. (2016, September 14) Personal Interview.