Parents of both western and non-western backgrounds now have another clue in the secret of raising children.
Psychologists Akiko Hatabe and David Hubbard of the University of Tennessee and California State respectively came to the researched conclusion that there is no one-size-fits-all style of parenting that will guarantee academic success and achievement motivation.
Instead, it depends upon the culture in which children are exposed.
According to their June 2014 study, “contemporary American children’s academic achievement motivation was highly associated with both authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles.”
The study followed children in both American and Japanese elementary schools and found that Japanese children are less influenced by parenting styles than American students.
Instead, native Japanese elementary children find drive in the social environment of school and less influence on report cards since their grades are measured on social standards, not points earned.
Additionally, American elementary students have higher academic achievement when parental influence encourages students to enjoy school because:
- It’s a place they can showcase their individual abilities
- It increases their opportunities for a good job (examples provided in the research were doctors, lawyers and professors)
- It gives children a chance to work hard and receive strong grades
Ethnicity was also examined and there was no evidence to show that there were differences in the effect of parenting styles and subcultures within the American culture.
Parenting styles assessed for this study were based on Diana Baumrind’s parenting style prototypes:
- Authoritarian – parent has majority control over their children’s lives and believes punishment curbs undesired behavior
- Authoritative – parent acts as a guide, pays attention to their child’s individuality and is open when a parental mistake is made
- Permissive – parent believes that their child can learn from their own mistakes and prefers consequences to come from their child’s own actions
Previous researcher showed that authoritative parenting was the absolute winner for successful children in school, according to Hatabe and Hubbard. However, it does not go so far as to discount the style.
Parents interested in learning about modern approaches to parenting should search their local library, the internet and other articles/blogs on parenting.
For a Marine dad’s perspective on current practical application of parenting, see my how-to articles on:
- · Potty training
- · Outdoor playtime
- · Public playground etiquette
- · Picky eaters
- · Shopping with toddlers
- · Discipline and Behavior
