Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 1

In a parenting support group, which parenting style values explaining consequences and reasons for rules to children?

1. Authoritative

2. Authoritarian

3. Permissive

4. Uninvolved

The correct answer is: Authoritative

The authoritative parenting style is characterized by a balanced approach that combines warmth and support with clear expectations and guidelines. This style emphasizes the importance of communication between parents and children. In authoritative parenting, caregivers not only set rules but also explain the reasoning behind those rules and the consequences of actions, allowing children to understand why certain behaviors are encouraged or discouraged. This explanation helps children develop reasoning and critical thinking skills, as they learn to recognize the implications of their actions. Furthermore, authoritative parents tend to encourage independence while also being responsive to their children's needs, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth. In contrast, the authoritarian style is more rigid and demanding, focusing on obedience without providing explanations for rules. Permissive parenting offers a more hands-off approach, where parents are lenient and do not enforce rules consistently. Uninvolved parenting lacks responsiveness and demands, resulting in a limited connection with children. Each of these other styles does not prioritize the explanation of consequences to the same extent as authoritative parenting does.