Just as there is a good way to parenting our kids, there is also a bad way to go about it. Like it is popularly said, “without one, there can’t be the recognition of the other.” To break this quote down, if there is no ‘good,’ there won’t be a basis to measure what ‘bad’ is. We realize that there is a thin imaginary line between good and bad, and in the aspect of parenting, this imaginary line is also very much applicable.

By definition authoritarian means Tyranny. And relating this definition to parenting does differ, it only fits each party concerned into the defined role. The parent is the tyrant while the children the subject, and this, is a big RED FLAG for parenting. Here are some of the reasons;

The kids end up being disrespectful: It is a widely known and agreed fact that children mirror the behavior of their parents, knowingly or unknowingly. This is the reason why it is mostly said not to perform some particular act in the presence of our children because it sticks to them, and they may carry out such activities away from home. Putting that in mind, being an authoritarian parent means we are lightening the path for our children to act as such to colleagues, peer groups, and even older ones. And should this be the case, being disrespectful will be just one of the many misbehaviors down the line. That aside, the children might begin to revolt against the rigidity of the power, causing disruption and lack of obedience to the parents.

It is non-nurturing: The essence of parenting is not just to pay for our children’s needs, send them to the best schools, order them around, and watch them grow into their best selves. Instead, they need the tender care of their parents, and when this is lacking in a parenting style, it can be considered the worst way to parent a child. Therefore, parents should try as much as possible to provide room for flexibility in the way they train their children.

Remember “the way we treat our children is the way they will treat others,” a quote that should be imprinted on every parent’s mind.