Author: Mary Nolan
Description: This article explores the century-old debate about parenting styles, and in particular the contribution made by Diane Baumrind, and Eleanor Maccaby and John Martin. It concludes by noting that the latest research in parenting styles suggests that authoritative parenting may not be the unquestioned ‘best’ style and that the debate about how best to parent children is moving in a new direction. Finally, the article stresses that every parent and every child is different and that parenting styles should be co-constructed by parents, their health and social care advisors and their children.

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