Does your challenging lifestyle compel you to adopt an uninvolved parenting style for your kid? Here are its causes, effects on your child and how to get rid of it.

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In this article:

What are the 4 Types of Parenting Styles?
Uninvolved Parenting Definition
Characteristics of Uninvolved Parenting Style
Why do Parents Usually Adopt a Neglectful Parenting Style?
How does Uninvolved Parenting Affect a Child?
What are the Consequences of Uninvolved Parenting?
Uninvolved Parenting Examples
How to Come Out of Uninvolved Parenting Style?

Risks of Having an Uninvolved Parenting Style

What are the 4 Types of Parenting Styles?

Authoritarian Parenting

Authoritarian parents use the least negotiation and a strict disciplinary style. They nurture less. Communication is one-sided from parent to child. Rules are mostly unexplained. Expectations are high with restricted flexibility.

Read More:Who’s Easier to Parent: Boys or Girls?

Permissive Parenting

Permissive or Indulgent parents nurture and allow their kids to do whatever they want. Communication is open but parents don’t give directions nor set rules. Expectations are the least or none.

Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved parents show apathy to their children. They don’t demand anything or give anything in return besides near-complete freedom to them. Communication and nurturing are wanting. Expectations are few or none.

Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative parents are nurturing and reasonable, setting clear and high expectations. It’s considered the best parenting style. Such kids learn to be self-disciplined and self-caring. Disciplinary rules are explained. Communication occurs frequently suited to children’s ability of understanding.

Uninvolved Parenting Definition

Uninvolved or neglectful parenting style has minimal or no involvement in children’s overall requirements. Parents are least involved in children’s physical, emotional and other essential aspects. They only provide for the basic requirements like children’s shelter, food, clothing, etc.

Characteristics of Uninvolved Parenting Style

Parents too Occupied with Themselves

When parents are too tied up in their emotional, social or professional issues, they may unintentionally drift to uninvolved parenting.

Incorrect Supervision

Parents may sometimes act in extremities: being over lenient towards kids and not knowing about their activities, or being too strict to allow their children’s social involvement.

Lacking Emotional Attachment with their Child

Not feeling emotionally attached to their kid, parents may provide just for his bare needs. They may be ignorant of what’s happening in his life like his activities in school or other aspects.

Substance Abuse

Addiction to illegal drugs, alcohol or other abusive substances may make parents neglectful towards their kids.

Minimal or no Expectations from Kids

Such parents are generally not bothered about their children’s achievements in any sphere.

Parents may not Show Affection

Such parents normally don’t express their love towards their children by kissing, hugging, etc. and are indifferent to them.

Why do Parents Usually Adopt a Neglectful Parenting Style?

For the Kid’s Welfare

Some parents consider this as an advantage of an uninvolved parenting style. They assume that it can make their child tough and strong to face the different challenges of life.

Self-centered or Selfish Approach

When people are too self-obsessed being least concerned about others’ welfare or needs, that may include their children too.

Unaware of Parental Responsibilities

If the parents are uncertain of what they should or shouldn’t do for their kids, they may get confused and thereby apathetic to them.

Challenging Lifestyles

Sometimes certain lifestyles of parents may make it hard for them to spare time for their child.

If the Parents Themselves Suffered the Same

If the parents were brought up with a similar parenting style, they most likely would follow the same for their kid.

How does Uninvolved Parenting Affect a Child?

• The children may feel aimless or too lost.
• The kids may frequently be very timid and may struggle to find their identity.
• Boys may be unable to make decisions and even fail to become good fathers themselves.
• Girls may grow emotionally weak and meet failure in relationships. They may keep chasing love and affection.

What are the Consequences of Uninvolved Parenting?

• Lack of guidance may cause kids to feel lost, disillusioned and purposeless. They may fail to make simple decisions without relying on others.
• Lack of love may adversely affect children’s psychological development.
• Kids, undergoing uninvolved parenting, may themselves adopt the same in future.
• Due to the absence of rules or order in the house, the child may be unable to follow the rules elsewhere too.
• Feeling unloved and detached, the child may resort to substance abuse. If his parents are into it, the same risk increases for him.
• Devoid of supervision, the kid’s personality may not completely develop and may keep struggling to find his personality.
• Neglected children may develop various physiological problems like depression.
• Since children don’t always know the way of dealing with emotions, they may show extreme emotions like anxiety, fear, etc.
• Wanting of nurture and care, kids may have to look after themselves. Thus, they may lose their innocence.

Uninvolved Parenting Examples

• Your child returns from a picnic with friends for the whole day. You don’t ask him how much fun he had with his friends or anything else about his day.
• Your child returns home after a long hectic day at school. Instead of welcoming him or offering him a healthy delicious meal, you ask him to heat up his food by himself and have it.
• Your kid is loaded with homework and a big assignment which he has to finish before his deadline. He is too tensed about his works but you offer him no help or consolation.
• You have a very challenging job which occupies a lot of your time. So, you can’t spend some quality time with your kid.

How to Come Out of Uninvolved Parenting Style?

• Express love to your children. Make them feel loved and valued.
• Encourage your children to make decisions. Suggest solutions if they waver.
• If your kid has become inactive, sad or low-spirited, talk to him and try finding out why he’s upset.
• Irrespective of your busy life, always give your children time and try spending some quality time together.
• Stop being unapproachable by opening all the channels of communication with your child. Be available to him for his needs.
• If you’re unable to quit this parenting style, consult a professional.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly parenting can be quite difficult but this doesn’t mean you’ll neglect your little one. Try to come out of uninvolved parenting by loving him. Else seek a professional for help.

Reference Links

https://www.ericdigests.org/1999-4/parenting.htm

https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-development/healthy-relationships/parents-child/parenting-styles/index.html