darlington and steinberg Flashcards
key dimensions
Darling & Steinberg’s (1993) Views on Parenting Styles and Practices
Darling and Steinberg (1993) aimed to refine and expand the understanding of parenting styles by distinguishing them from parenting practices. Their work responded to earlier models, particularly Baumrind’s (1966, 1971) typology, by emphasizing that parenting style is not just about behavior, but also about the emotional and contextual environment in which socialization occurs.
- Key Distinction: Parenting Styles vs. Parenting Practices
Parenting Styles
Defined as the emotional climate that influences parent-child interactions.
Not domain-specific; it applies broadly across different contexts.
Acts as a moderator between parenting practices and child outcomes.
Example: Two parents may use the same disciplinary methods, but one does so in a warm and nurturing way (authoritative), while the other does so in a strict and cold manner (authoritarian).
Quote from Darling & Steinberg (1993, p. 495):
“Parenting style is best conceptualized as an emotional climate that facilitates or undermines parents’ efforts to socialize their children.”
Parenting Practices
Defined as specific actions or behaviors parents use to socialize their children.
Domain-specific; different strategies may be used for academics, discipline, social behavior, etc.
Has a direct effect on child development.
Example: Some parents focus on academic achievement (e.g., setting strict homework schedules), while others prioritize social skills (e.g., encouraging group activities).
Key Takeaway:
Parenting style provides the context, while parenting practices are the tools used for socialization.
the model
- Darling & Steinberg’s Theoretical Model
They proposed a causal pathway linking:
Parents’ socialization goals → What they aim to teach their children.
Parenting style → The emotional and contextual environment in which these goals are pursued.
Parenting practices → Specific actions taken to achieve these goals.
Child development outcomes → The resulting behaviors, attitudes, and social skills of the child.
Example:
A parent who values academic success (goal) may foster a supportive learning environment (authoritative style) and implement strict study routines (practice).
Another parent with the same goal might use a strict, pressure-based approach (authoritarian style) with punitive measures (practice).
The different styles affect how the child perceives and responds to the academic pressure.
advantages
Strengths of Darling & Steinberg’s Model
✅ Clarifies Baumrind’s Work – Helps distinguish between general approach (style) and specific behaviors (practices), making research on parenting more precise.
✅ Allows for Variability – Explains how parents can have different practices within the same style (e.g., two authoritative parents may use different discipline methods).
✅ Accounts for Moderation – Recognizes that the effect of parenting practices depends on the emotional climate (e.g., strict discipline is more effective when delivered warmly).
✅ More Culturally Flexible – Acknowledges that parenting practices may vary across cultures, but the style in which they are delivered impacts child development (e.g., authoritarian parenting in Asian cultures often leads to academic success rather than negative outcomes).
disadvantages
❌ Lack of Empirical Testing – While their model is theoretically strong, empirical research directly testing the style-practice distinction remains limited.
❌ Doesn’t Fully Explain Cultural Differences – While it acknowledges them, it doesn’t deeply explore how different societies define parenting styles and practices.
❌ Focuses on Intentions Rather Than Perceptions – Assumes that parents’ intentions and styles align with how children perceive their parenting, which may not always be the case.
❌ Challenges in Measurement – Defining and measuring “parenting style” as a general emotional climate remains subjective and complex.
