Within each family, caregivers adopt a role or parenting style depending on the treatment and relationship they have with their sons and daughters (García, 2021; Couñago, 2022). Caregivers develop strategies, behaviors and tools that enable decision-making and conflict resolution within the family (García, 2021). Therefore, according to Couñago (2022), if caregivers are concerned about providing quality early childhood education, they can prevent children from developing emotional, psychological, and social problems as they grow up.
Numerous studies have been conducted over the years to define the role of caregivers in the relationship with their sons and daughters (Garcia, 2021). In the year 1971, psychologist Diana Baumrind developed a longitudinal study in which she tried to find out the influence of parental behaviors on the personality of their children (García, 2021). As a result of the study, she made a classification into three types of parenting styles: authoritarian families, permissive families and democratic families (García, 2021).
Characteristics of Democratic Families
In correspondence with García (2021), democratic families are also known as non-dominant authoritarian families and are characterized by their capacity to achieve a balance between controlling authoritarianism and indulgent permissiveness.
This balance between firmness and affection, on the one hand, provides the affection and respect that sons and daughters deserve, trying to reach consensus on family decisions, attending to the needs of minors, validating their points of view and opinions, and explaining the reasons for decisions, but at the same time, making themselves respected, applying firmness through clear and consistent rules and limits (García, 2021). In other words, according to the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (2020), the participation of all family members favors the construction of this balance, inasmuch as the commitments and responsibilities of each family member are determined according to their age, capabilities and levels of response to others.
Democratic families provide a sense of belonging and importance to each family member, i.e., children feel included and endowed with sufficient capacity to contribute their perspectives (García, 2021). This is a very favorable fact for the development of self-esteem (García, 2021), since, in correspondence with Couñago (2022), these caregivers stimulate critical thinking and foster their autonomy.
Likewise, affective bonds are created through communication and affection (Couñago, 2022). In this sense, the presence of strong connections will make things much easier. In addition, with these connections, good behavior based on respect is promoted, as well as independence, emotional intelligence and social skills (Couñago, 2022). In the same vein, according to García (2021), a real work of empowerment is carried out so that children are able to solve different situations independently.
On the other hand, it is valuable to highlight the importance of giving children the opportunity to make their own decisions whenever possible (Couñago, 2022). A good strategy is to give the child the opportunity to choose what to eat or how to dress. According to Couñago (2022), giving them some independence could improve their self-esteem, personality, and problem-solving skills.
Finally, rules, as well as their reasons and consequences, are brief, clear and easy for children to remember and follow (Medina, 2020). In short, according to Medina (2020), rules and limits are reasonable and appropriate for the age of each family member.
Consequences of Democratic Parenting Style
Self-esteem
In correspondence with Couñago (2022) and García (2021), children raised in a democratic environment feel good about themselves, that is, they have security and confidence in their possibilities and in overcoming their limits.
Self-concept
According to Garcia (2021), children raised under the democratic parenting style develop a good self-concept, i.e., they have good self-esteem and are able to manage emotions in a positive way, demonstrating good self-control skills.
Persistence
Children raised in a democratic environment are tenacious and have willpower to achieve the goals and objectives they set for themselves (García, 2021). In other words, in correspondence with García (2021), they are quite persevering and persistent, tolerate frustration well, and are confident in their possibilities.
Social Skills
In accordance with Garcia (2021), children raised under the democratic parenting style have good social skills, i.e., they relate well with their peers and have no problems making friends or adapting to the specificities of the context.
Frustration Tolerance
In correspondence with Garcia (2021), children raised in a democratic environment begin to understand that the mistakes they make are actually excellent learning opportunities and that, even when they fail, their perseverance will push them to achieve their goals, however complicated they may be.
References
Couñago, A. (2022). Estilo de crianza democrático. Eres Mamá. Recuperado 27 de agosto de 2022, de https://eresmama.com/estilo-de-crianza-democratico/
García, L. (2021). Padres democráticos: características, tipos y consecuencias. parabebes.com. Recuperado 27 de agosto de 2022, de https://www.parabebes.com/padres-democraticos-caracteristicas-tipos-y-consecuencias-5539.html
Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar. (2020). ¿Cómo construir una familia democrática? Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar. Recuperado 27 de agosto de 2022, de https://www.icbf.gov.co/mis-manos-te-ensenan/como-construir-una-familia-democratica
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