What is more beneficial to a child - being an easy-going or a very strict parent

asks johnjo:
A. Recent research confirms that it's the 'firm but fair' approach that works best. Researchers who are currently following 4,300 young people in Edinburgh as part of a 20-year study for Edinburgh University, found that parents who are 'firm but fair' with adolescent children are much more likely to help them avoid drugs, delinquency and crime. On the other hand, children of parents who are overbearing, inconsistent in discipline or too easy-going are at a far greater risk of turning into problem teenagers.

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Q. What makes a successful parent
A. Adolescents who are closely supervised, but allowed some freedom are more likely to stay out of trouble and have fewer arguments at home, according to the research. As a parent, you have to set clear ground rules (where they are, who they're with, when they have to be home), but be prepared to negotiate.

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Q. What makes an unsuccessful parent
A. The parents who had the most trouble with their children tend to be dictators, or only tried to discipline occasionally, or were inconsistent, or who made threats, but never carried them out. Parents who had the most conflict with their children tended to supervise them the least.

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Q. Are there any other parenting styles which can cause problems
A. A study published earlier this year by the Centre for Research into Parenting and Children at Oxford University, found that children who are bullied are much more likely to say that they had been over-protected as children. The researchers believe that parenting style has a considerable impact on whether a child is bullied or not.

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Q. Are 'problem children' the result of single parents/poor families, as the tabloids would have us believe
A. Not at all. In fact, it's just as likely that a vandal, drug-taker or underage drinker would come from a well-off, two-parent family. A recent survey for the Institute for Social and Economic Research at Essex University, found that more middle-class children admitted to having committed an act of vandalism in the previous year than their less privileged contemporaries. And suspension from school, truancy and smoking were at a similar level across all backgrounds and classes. Said Dr Jonathan Scales, who carried out the study, children's behaviour has more to do with parenting style than background.

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Q. What makes a great parent
A. In a survey to find that nation's favourite dad this year, Homer Simpson came first, which would suggest that children are looking for an alternative style of parenting!

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What do you think is the best parenting style Post your opinion here

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By Sheena Miller