TYPES OF PARENTAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHILDREN AND THE PROBLEM OF ADAPTIVE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

In the article we’ve shown that the types of parental attitudes towards children predict the essence of adaptive family relationships. It was determined that contradictory and humiliating parenting often causes the formation of an aggressive-protective type of behavior of children with increased excitability and instability; despotic upbringing, in turn, is a passively protective type of behavior with inhibitory reactions, timidity, uncertainty and dependence; overexertion or avoidance facilitate the upbringing of an infantile type of behavior with rather bright affective reactions.

It is noted that the implementation of these principles largely depends on the type of family upbringing. These types are: the autocratic type; a democratic type; a liberal type; a chaotic type.

The following variants of parental behavior, which determine adaptive or maladaptive family relationships, are singled out: the strict style of parenting, characterized by forceful and directive methods that suppress a child’s initiative, and the explanatory style, which emphasizes reasoning and equality between parent and child. The autonomous style encourages independence by allowing children to make their own decisions, while the compromise style involves collaboration and shared responsibilities. The facilitative style supports active parental involvement and timely assistance, whereas the sympathetic style focuses on emotional empathy without direct intervention. The self-destructive approach prioritizes the child’s comfort at the parents’ expense, and the situational style bases decisions on the specific context without a consistent strategy. Lastly, the dependent style reflects a lack of parental confidence, with reliance on external guidance or delegation of responsibilities. These behavioral patterns significantly affect family dynamics and the child’s social and emotional development, highlighting the critical role of parenting in fostering adaptive relationships and behaviors.