Uninvolved parenting

Uninvolved Parenting – Beware the Dangers

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Parenting. It is the most exciting yet challenging task. Each action carried out during parenting has its results, which we do not see until it is too late. When talking about results, I am referencing how the children exposed to a particular form of parenting will turn out in the future. This consideration makes it necessary to conduct research on parenting to ensure that we can expose our kids to the best form of parenting.

However, the difference between an effective parenting style and one that is not is just a small difference. If you are a new parent, it is natural to freak out as you want the best for your child (including the Best Child Car Seat of course!). Thus, to put these fears to rest, it is necessary to get information about the various parenting styles. Information about all the parenting styles will allow you to realize what is wrong and right for the child.

What is Uninvolved Parenting? 

You may have heard the term a couple of times and wondered to yourself what is uninvolved parenting. Well, while Baumrind suggested three parenting styles, further research by Maccoby and Martin would lead to the recognition of a fourth parenting style.

Uninvolved parenting is also referred to as neglectful parenting. This style of parenting involves a lack of responsiveness as the parents make little or no demands of their children. The parents are often dismissive of their children’s needs.

Whilst these guardians may provide the basic needs for their children, they are usually detached from other aspects of their children’s life. While this form of parenting may be branded with negative contentions, it is not always intentional. Thus, if you do fall under this category, the best you can do is to pursue strategies to ensure better parenting

This style of parenting is not characterized by a single moment, but it is an ongoing process that will have devastating consequences on the growth and development of the child.

Characteristics of Uninvolved Parenting Style 

The parents are never emotionally available to their children. Hence, the kids have to handle their emotional issues, which may lead to confusion further down the line. The emotional bond between the child and the parent is not instinctual, as in other parenting cases.

The kids receive very little in terms of supervision or guidance. The parents can be dismissive of the children and may, at times, avoid them intentionally. This can be because the parents are overwhelmed by their issues, which makes it difficult to allocate time for their kids. 

These issues that the parents are dealing with can be work-related but, at other times, can be drug-related or other issues. The parents will also show very little affection for their children. In addition to being detached from the children’s activities, these parents will rarely attend school events such as parent-teacher conferences.

Impact of Uninvolved Parenting 

If you are a new parent, you might wonder how does uninvolved parenting affect a child. Kids raised with the uninvolved parenting style will experience various effects that negatively impact their development.

  • Children illustrate deficits in emotional and cognitive development. Thus, these kids will grow up with the fear of ever depending on any individual. This may create attachment problems in the future as the kids will struggle with their relationships.
  • Children will also have poor social skills and will be likely to misbehave because they lack guidance and rules at home. These children struggle with communication outside the home as parents rarely engage with them.
  • Children also lack the coping skills to adapt to new environments.
  • These kids may grow to implement the same parenting style with their kids and thus creates a cycle of poor relationships.

Permissive vs Uninvolved Parenting 

Permissive and Uninvolved Parenting styles are often confused as having one and the same meaning. However, while these parenting styles are different, they do have similarities in that they do create a deficiency in the progress of the children’s development

Additionally, both parenting styles ask few or no demands from the children. This means that the kids fail to understand the importance of taking responsibility, and this impacts their future. 

One area in which the two parenting styles differ is the attention and affection given to the child. This is because uninvolved parenting is usually neglectful whilst permissive parents tend to be closer to the kids up to the point they act like friends to them. 

Whilst permissiveness is characterized by high responsiveness, the same cannot be said about uninvolved parenting whose responsiveness is quite low. If you suspect that your parenting style may fall under this category, it is important to recognize that you may have to implements strategies that will supplement your parenting styles.

Parenting Strategies to Adopt in the Case of Uninvolved Parenting 

When trying to change your parenting style, the first step is to recognize which is your parenting style. If your descriptions fit that of uninvolved parenting, there are a few strategies you could use to bring about change.

  • Set up rules that the kids should follow. You should involve the children in the rulemaking and ensure they get to understand what is the purpose of each rule.
  • Provide consistent feedback to the children pertaining to their conduct. This also means that you should follow through with the consequences of breaking the rules.
  • Get involved with the child’s school life and general life. This includes finding out who are the friends of your child and where the child is at particular moments.
  • Be available to the child by ensuring that issues that impact your life do not interfere with the relationship with your child. This includes never bringing any work assignments at home or seeking a therapist’s help with your issues.

The Bottom Line

You may have a picture of the parenting style that you want to implement, but these styles are usually in a constant state of evolution. Hence, it is crucial to be aware of the various parenting styles which act as a guide to whether your parenting style is effective.

Robert

Robert is a father of a young daughter and has developed an expertise in child car seat safety. He is a keen supporter of the use of child safety systems having seen his daughter come away from a side impact collision unscathed due to the use of a child car seat. When he's not spending time reviewing child safety systems he works as a Technical Manager on major construction projects.

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