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Essay 3 Gentle Parenting
Essay 3 Gentle Parenting
Genesis Terrazas
Jason Dew
ENGL 1302-283
09 April 2024
Gentle Parenting
method of childrearing, creates a loving bond between parents and their children. This method
strongly emphasizes being sensitive to a child's feelings, promoting honest communication, and
refraining from harsh punishment in favor of positive discipline. According to proponents, gentle
parenting fosters a healthy parent-child bond, improves emotional intelligence, and gives the kid
a sense of security and trust. Positively, it is seen to reduce power clashes and promote
alternative to typical authoritarian methods by emphasizing the emotional growth and well-being
of both parents and children within a holistic framework. Gentle parenting emphasizes the
development of stable relationships between caregivers and children, one of its primary
justifications. The foundation for resilient relationships and good emotional development is laid
by gentle parenting, which fosters trust and understanding via compassionate interactions.
Moreover, nurturing parenting fosters the development of emotional intelligence, allowing kids
to handle challenging emotions and social circumstances gracefully and confidently. In addition,
gentle parenting promotes a change in the family's culture from punishment to constructive
direction and communication, as well as mutual respect and collaboration. In the end, gentle
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parenting helps create a more sympathetic and compassionate society, benefiting specific
understanding and communication rather than harsh punishment, which builds a sense of security
and trust. This method aids in a child's development of emotional intelligence and improves their
ability to handle difficulties by recognizing and affirming their feelings. By focusing more on
polite instruction than harsh punishment, parents and children may develop a cooperative and
respectful relationship that will eventually pave the way for responsible and thoughtful conduct.
According to the article " The Effect of Parenting and the Parent-Child Relationship on a Child's
Cognitive Development: A Literature Review," the child's maturity and cognitive growth depend
on sensitive parenting and caregiving. It has been noted that the media has a critical role in
enhancing parenting techniques. Children raised by strict, violent, and invasive parents have both
setting that emphasizes emotional health and enjoyable learning experiences. In the article
and Social Adaptation," adolescents who struggle academically may feel less supported by their
parents and find it difficult to ask for assistance, which might lower their grades. Interestingly,
teenage athletes' performance is also negatively impacted by parental exhaustion. Children may
freely share their ideas, worries, and inquiries when their parents practice gentle parenting, which
fosters open communication and sympathetic understanding. A child's mental health benefits
from this emotional comfort since it lowers stress and anxiety, two conditions that are known to
It also promotes a love of learning beyond conventional classroom' walls. Ultimately, a child's
academic growth and entire educational journey are greatly aided by the emotionally stable and
and entire educational journey are greatly aided by the emotionally stable and intellectually
life. Emphasizing understanding, empathy, and constructive communication, this method fosters
a safe space where kids may explore and grow into their potential. Gentle parenting promotes
autonomy by letting kids make decisions rationally instead of enforcing strict rules. Empowering
healthy child socio-emotional functioning, which includes prosocial conduct and knowledge of
social interaction, as well as favorable academic, cognitive, and physical health outcomes
resiliency and sense of self-worth are fostered by gentle parenting, which emphasizes positive
reinforcement over harsh methods. Children are more likely to confidently tackle new activities
when they feel appreciated and encouraged, which helps them acquire vital life skills and a solid
respect, and constructive communication. This builds a connection of trust and support between
parents and their children. Gentle parenting fosters an atmosphere in which kids feel heard,
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respected, and safe by prioritizing understanding and connection. Children who feel emotionally
secure from their parents are more likely to cooperate and voluntarily follow their instructions
because they view discipline as a tool for learning and development rather than punishment. For
instance, toddlers and preschoolers are likelier to participate in committed obedience when
mothers softly and non-power assertively guide their conduct (Blandon and Volling). Active
listening, problem-solving, and establishing age-appropriate limits are gentle parenting strategies
that enable kids to grow into capable adults and make responsible decisions. Gentle parenting
also fosters intrinsic drive and a sense of autonomy in kids, which increases collaboration and
compliance since it removes the need for fear or pressure. Gentle parenting's caring and
encouraging methods foster cooperation and mutual respect, making kids more likely to be
Harsh parenting erodes trust and damages the parent-child relationship by instilling fear
and resentment instead of fostering mutual respect and understanding. According to the article
"Relationships Matter: How Clinicians Can Support Positive Parenting in the Early Years,"
children learn to speak, think, and express emotion from an 'environment of relationships, and
the parent-child relationship is the one that most strongly affects emotional and behavioral
functioning. Harsh parenting often leads to heightened arousal and stress in children due to the
constant fear of punishment or criticism. Harsh parenting, for instance, might make kids
excessively reactive and unable to concentrate or change their focus when needed (Neppl).
Consequently, this heightened arousal can impair their ability to regulate emotions and behavior,
making them less compliant and more reactive in their interactions with their parents. In
conclusion, the detrimental effects of harsh parenting underscore the importance of nurturing
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positive, supportive relationships between parents and children, which are essential for healthy
An indulgent parent can contribute to a healthy relationship with your child by fostering
an environment of warmth, acceptance, and open communication, which encourages trust and
emotional closeness. According to the article “Examining Parental Internal Processes Associated
with Indulgent Parenting: A Thematic Analysis,” a child's growth can benefit from indulgent
parenting if it allows them to explore their interests, express themselves, and grow into strong,
self-assured individuals. Warm parenting is seen to be one of the most protective variables for
adopted children's adjustment. A limited but increasing body of research in adoption studies
suggests that the quality of parent-child relationships in adoptive households may promote
healthy development (Anthony and Paine). In conclusion, embracing an indulgent parenting style
fostering an environment where children feel empowered to explore their interests and develop
into confident individuals. Research indicates that the quality of parent-child relationships,
particularly warm parenting, is crucial in promoting children's overall well-being and adjustment,
constructive communication, fosters a secure and supportive environment where children can
thrive and develop to their fullest potential. By prioritizing connection over coercion, gentle
parenting builds trust and cooperation between parents and children, allowing for open dialogue
and mutual respect. This nurturing approach promotes emotional intelligence and resilience in
children and strengthens the parent-child bond, creating a relationship based on empathy and
understanding rather than fear and resentment. In contrast, harsh parenting strategies erode trust
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and damage this bond, leading to heightened stress and diminished compliance in children who
feel constantly threatened or criticized. As evidenced by research, the positive effects of gentle
parenting extend beyond childhood, laying the groundwork for healthy emotional development
and resilient relationships that benefit parents and children throughout their lives. Therefore,
embracing gentle parenting principles can profoundly shape families' wellbeing and happiness,
Anthony, Rebecca E, et al. “Adverse Childhood Experiences of Children Adopted from Care:
The Importance of Adoptive Parental Warmth for Future Child Adjustment.” International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
22 June 2019,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6617038/#:~:text=Specifically%2C%20warm%2
0parenting%20is%20considered,families%20may%20nurture%20healthy%20development
.
Blandon, Alysia Y, and Brenda L Volling. “Parental Gentle Guidance and Children’s
Compliance within the Family: A Replication Study.” Journal of Family Psychology :
JFP : Journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological
Association (Division 43), U.S. National Library of Medicine, June 2008,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2486495/.
Chaplin, Tara M, et al. “Effects of Parenting Environment on Child and Adolescent Social-
Emotional Brain Function.” Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, 2022,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10016201/#:~:text=Positive%20parenting%20lo
ngitudinally%20predicts%20positive,and%20Fowler%202002%3B%20Beckwith%20et.
Lanjekar, Purva D, et al. “The Effect of Parenting and the Parent-Child Relationship on a Child’s
Cognitive Development: A Literature Review.” Cureus, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 22 Oct. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9678477/.
Neppl, Tricia K, et al. “Positive Parenting, Effortful Control, and Developmental Outcomes
across Early Childhood.” Developmental Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7041851/.
Wang, Wei, et al. “Parental Burnout and Adolescents’ Development: Family Environment,
Academic Performance, and Social Adaptation.” International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 4 Feb. 2023,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9957149/.
Williams, Robin C, et al. “Relationships matter: How clinicians can support positive parenting in
the early years.” Paediatrics & Child Health, vol. 24, no. 5, 25 July 2019, pp. 340–
347, https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/pxz063.
Wolford, Sarah N, et al. “Examining Parental Internal Processes Associated with Indulgent
Parenting: A Thematic Analysis.” Journal of Child and Family Studies, U.S. National
Library of Medicine, Mar. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7731216/.