Your parenting style can affect how your child engages with the world and influence how they navigate their lives into adulthood. This can range from the partners and friends we seek out to our relationship with food and exercise.
There are three parenting styles.
- Authoritative: This is a nurturing and supportive parenting style, with firm limits set for children. To try to control their child’s behavior, parents will often explain and discuss the rules and limits they’ve set. They will listen to their child’s point of view but may not consider it.
- Permissive: Permissive parents are known to be loving and warm but don’t usually monitor their children closely or set hard boundaries with clear expectations of appropriate behavior. According to the American Psychological Association, children who grow up with permissive guardians tend to be impulsive, rebellious, aggressive and have challenges with self-reliance and self-control.
- Uninvolved or flexible: Parents who are in the category of flexibility or uninvolved (sometimes called laissez-faire) have a style that may be seen as unavailable, neglectful or absent. Children of these parents may have challenges with self-esteem and seek out unhealthy substitutions for parents. According to a
2019 studyTrusted Source , people with uninvolved parents often have trouble with social relationships and emotional regulation.
This brief, time-saving questionnaire is designed for anyone who may have questions about the parenting style they were raised under.
The quiz could also be helpful if you have questions about your own parenting style or about your child’s responses to your decision making.
This online screening is not a definitive tool. The quiz will not determine the reasoning behind your feelings and behaviors or your children’s.
Still, it can be useful if you’re thinking about where to begin conversations or determining whether you’d like to consider therapy for yourself, your child, or your family.
Instructions
For each item, indicate how much you agree or disagree with the statement. Take your time and answer truthfully for the most accurate results. (If both parents are available, it might be a good idea for both to take the quiz and then compare their parenting styles.)
Parents should provide direction but also listen and discuss their kids' concerns.
Society would be better if parents were more strict with their kids.
Kids should make most of their own decisions without parental direction.
There shouldn't be rigid rules for kids' behavior.
Parents should provide direction and guidance in rational and objective ways.
Children should be told exactly what to do and how to do it.
Kids can make up their own minds and do what they want to do.
Kids need to learn early who the boss is in the family.
Children should get their way as often as their parents do.
Parents should discuss the reasons behind their policies with their kids.
Children should follow their parents' orders without asking questions.
Parents should make their expectations of their children very clear and open to discussion.
Parents shouldn't restrict children's activities or decisions.
Children should conform to what parents know is right.
Kids should be encouraged to discuss family rules and restrictions.
This online screening is not a diagnostic tool. Only a trained medical professional, like a doctor or mental health professional, can help you determine the next best steps for you.