What is the impact of permissive parenting on children?

18th January 2025

1 minute read

What is the impact of permissive parenting on children?

Permissive parenting is a parental approach characterized by excessive flexibility and a lack of rules and boundaries. In this parenting style, children are often allowed to make their own decisions without strong guidance or clear limits, which can result in raising children who enjoy great freedom but lack an understanding of the importance of respect and adherence to rules.

Parenting styles significantly affect children’s personalities and behavior. “Permissive parenting” is one of the common styles adopted by some parents. This style, marked by excessive leniency and minimal enforcement of rules, reflects on children’s psychological and social development, potentially leading to behavioral and health issues.

The impact of this style is evident in children’s behavior, as they often feel like the primary decision-makers in the family, which can lead to:

Weak respect for authority and rules
Recurrent behavioral problems
Lack of responsibility and difficulty in decision-making
Increased impulsivity or aggression
Weak autonomy and personal responsibility
Psychological issues like anxiety and depression
Academic struggles due to lack of effort

On the health front, children in this setting are prone to problems such as obesity and tooth decay due to insufficient monitoring of unhealthy eating and neglecting healthy habits like brushing teeth and exercising.

Experts suggest that the “authoritative parenting with love” approach is the best method to balance firmness and affection. This method helps children develop self-confidence, responsibility, and independence.

Studies have shown that children raised under this approach have strong social skills and the ability to express their emotions and opinions confidently.