Introduction

Parenting is a unique and adventurous journey. While parenting practices vary within the same
family, they are strikingly different across countries and cultures. Groups of people possess
different beliefs and engage in different behaviors that may be normative in their culture but are
not necessarily normative in another culture.

Definition of terms;
Belief: Are the tenets or convictions that people hold to be true. Individuals in a society have
specific beliefs. Bornstein MH (2012).

Parenting styles; Constructs used to describe the different strategies parents tend to utilize when
raising children. Bornstein MH (2012).

Child rearing beliefs in different countries

A 2021 article by Kerina De Floras Felix highlighted that In Norway and other Scandinavian
countries, fresh air is considered so important that infants are bundled up even in cold winters
and nap outside in their strollers. It is a common practice for parents to let their babies sleep
outdoors, as they shop or have a meal. A baby monitor is attached to the strollers so that they can
keep an eye on the baby at all times. Parents believe that babies need a lot of fresh air, and by
napping outside they are less prone to catching a cold or cough. Babies who sleep outdoors are
also found to sleep better and for a longer time.

The article further stated that children in Italy are usually allowed to taste wine or alcohol with
the rest of their family during meals, and that parents in Japan believe that children are ready to
commute to school independently after they turn 6 or 7. They urge kids to walk or use public
transport to get to school, run errands, and do grocery shopping on their own. Kids also learn to
sweep and mop their classrooms from first grade. Parents want their children to be independent
from a young age. These practices also help children learn to trust the community when they
need help.

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It concluded that In France and South Korea, people believe that eating is a social experience
that must be enjoyed with the family. So, parents generally don’t give in to their children’s
hunger tantrums and let them wait for their families to join them. They are also encouraged to eat
what everyone else does, instead of a kid-friendly option. Parents say that children learn to avoid
mid-meal snacks, and this makes them mindful eaters. Children are also urged to savor their
food, instead of having hurried meals.

It Takes an Entire Village To Raise A Child; An article by Chelsea Steven emphasized that in
most African countries, having others around who can assist you is not just beneficial but
normal. Grandparents aren’t the only ones looking after little children; this role is also performed
by older siblings and family acquaintances. In Congo, all women in a village are called Mama
and treat every other child as their own. The possibility of taking care of another person’s baby
does not worry these women because sharing milk among themselves isn’t regarded as an issue.

Nicholas, (2023) stated that in India, children have to perform different chores and help around
the house. As a result, the parents in this country don’t delegate their children’s tasks but instead,
involve them in household work and teach them independence. This leads to a more responsible
child who has the chance to become an independent adult later on.

Different parenting styles

There are different types of parenting styles in different countries in the world, but the most
common one's are Authoritarian parenting, Authoritative parenting, Permissive parenting,
Helicopter Parenting, and Uninvolved Parenting. Nicholas, (2023) explained these types of
parenting in his article published in October of 2023 and the countries which commonly use
them.

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1. Authoritarian parenting
Authoritarian parenting is used in China, Russia, South Korea, Greece, and Turkey. In this
parenting style, Nicholas (2023) highlights that parents have complete control over what their
children do and can punish them if they don’t obey their rules. Parents expect their children to
uphold these standards while making no errors. Overall, there is little to no room for negotiations
from the child, and the rules are not usually explained. Authoritarian parents are normally less
nurturing and have high expectations with limited flexibility.

2. Authoritative parenting
Authoritative parenting is used in Canada, the United States of America, Norway, Sweden, and
Slovenia. In this parenting style, Nicholas (2023) states that parents follow a set of rules but ask
their children for input before making decisions. Parents have clear guidelines for their
expectations and explain their reasons associated with disciplinary actions. Disciplinary methods
are used as a way of support instead of punishment.

3. Permissive parenting
This approach is common in Italy, Denmark, Argentina, and Brazil. Parents do not get involved
with their children’s lives and decisions except if serious problems are happening at home or
school. Communication remains open, but parents allow their children to figure things out for
themselves.
Permissive parents tend to be warm and nurturing and usually have minimal expectations. They
impose limited rules on their children. Nicholas (2023)

4. Helicopter Parenting style

In this system, parents take control of every activity a child does from day one of birth. Nicholas
(2023) article shows that a motivation for this parenting style is driven by the parents’ worry that
their child might come to harm or not flourish. High levels of maternal support are associated
with socially acceptable behavior and hope in young people. In family setups where parents are
regularly involved in their children’s lives, and provide appropriate support for their
development, the children tend to excel academically and emotionally, and build better
relationships with their peers

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5. Uninvolved Parenting
Children are given a lot of freedom as this type of parent typically stays out of the way. Parents
fulfill the child's basic needs while remaining detached from their child's life. An uninvolved
parent does not utilize a particular disciplining style and has limited communication with their
child. They tend to offer little nurturing while having little or no expectations of their children.
Nicholas (2023)

Conclusion
Although parents around the world have distinct parenting styles according to the place they live
in and the culture they embrace, all of us shower bucketloads of love on our children and look
out for them always. If you’re a parent, you need to carefully scrutinize your parenting style,
which will shape your children’s future and brain development from an early stage.

References list;

1. BornsteinMH (2012), Cultural approaches to parenting. Parenting: Science and Practice,

12 (2–3), 212–221. 10.1080/15295192.2012.683359.

2. Chelsea Steven, (2020),retrieved from https://mind.family/articles/parenting-styles-from-

different-cultures

3. Kerina De Floras Felix, (2021), retrieved https://www.parentcircle.com/parenting-styles-

practices-across-different-cultures-countries/article

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4. Nicholas (2023), retrieved from https://www.eackids.org/parenting-styles-from-around-
the-world/