Is Permissive Parenting Style Outdated?

Permissive parenting style gained popularity in the beatnik and hippy generations. This style fits in perfectly with a culture that is free-thinking, artistic, and young.

Children are encouraged to make their decisions independently, and to fully express themselves, and not to conform. Discipline is not usually an element, as it is believed to break the spirit of the child.

This style is intended to raise highly creative and self-expressed individuals. It is not an appropriate style for all families and can be very difficult to implement in non-rural environments (urban areas and sub-burbs).

Children are raised in a world of possibility where they are respected and highly valued. Personal responsibility, however, is not stressed and this is probably where the break-down occurs in this method.

In any case, this method has succeeded in providing the world with many wonderful entertainers and artists, including Jim Carey...and even yours truly.

It's not possible to employ a permissive style of parenting if the child is in daycare or school all day. It can be very difficult for a child (or anyone for that matter) to have to transition between a rigid environment and a very free one.

Permissive parenting style allows the children to learn via trial and error. Instead of rules and warnings, a child is allowed the freedom to make his or her own mistakes. Few, if any, expectations are put upon the child.

Although some children of permissive parents can find it difficult to fit into "mainstream society" others thrive and ultimately enhance our society.

It's become very difficult in today's world to attempt a permissive parenting style because of our fast-paced, plugged-in lives and two-income families. The importance of raising our society's children is easily lost in this cyber-generation.

I truly hope that we start to move more towards a balance with our parenting. And that we can all live in a supportive community in which our children are valued over all else.

Please note that when I refer to permissive parenting, I am speaking of intentional permissive parenting.

Sadly, there are parents out there who are "permissive" parents simply because they don't care to deal with their children. These parents avoid disciplining and rewarding their kids because they are neglectful, not because they care. This is NOT the type of parenting being discussed here, k? K.