Signal Patterns recently developed a new survey that is designed to assess different parenting styles. Do you think it’s important for parents to be strict? Do you think it’s necessary for children to have clearly defined rules? Is it okay for children to act out or disobey from time to time? Based on analyses of several hundred parents, our results revealed three dimensions of parenting styles.

The first dimension, which we labeled Shaping Their Character, captures how parents set expectations for their children. Some parents establish expectations for their children by providing rules and instructions for how to behave and by playing active roles in their children’s lives, whereas other parents feel it’s best to let their children express themselves in whatever way they choose and therefore take a relaxed stance toward rules.

The second parenting dimension, labeled Making the Rules, captures how parents communicate with their children. Some parents run their families democratically and allow everyone a say in what happens. In contrast, other parents take more of a one-way street approach, feeling that as parents, they have a responsibility to make decisions for their children.

The third parenting dimension, labeled Enforcing Discipline captures the way in which parents discipline their children. Some parents are strict and believe punishment is necessary for establishing proper boundaries. Other parents adopt a more tolerant approach with their children and feel as though children should be able to do what they want and that lessons can be learned from making mistakes. These parenting dimensions are consistent with empirical research in developmental and family psychology.

It is important to realize that our results do not mean that there are three ‘types’ of parents. In fact, the results suggest that there are a variety of approaches to parenting. The dimensions highlight different domains that are very important to parenting—communicating, enforcing rules, and exerting influence—and areas in which parents take different approaches. For example, some parents may take a laissez-faire approach to discipline and be democratic with their children but nevertheless feel as though it is important to establish clear boundaries and expectations. Other parents may be strict disciplinarians but not provide clear expectations or rules for children.

Is parenting related to personality or is it something that is learned? What are the personality characteristics that relate to parenting styles? Are partners’ parenting styles related? In future posts on the parenting survey, we will present results from analyses linking parenting styles with personality. We will also look at relationships between partners’ parenting styles.

You may take the survey yourself and for a partner at Parenting.com.

This is the first post in a series.