Parenting styles may have evolved, but the objective has stayed the same: parents just want their child the best. The best however, is dependent on what the individual parent perceives to be important.

Today parenting and child rearing has taken on a scientific model. Parents turn to research, parenting experts, books and manuals for help. But even if these provide information on parenting practices, techniques, and methods, parents have to be discerning on what they will use, and consider their own instincts when dealing with their children. There is no one correct way to raise a child. Factors like personal values and beliefs have to be considered.

After parents follow advice from books and experts, and results are not as expected, some parents end up at a loss and become pushover parents. Many parents end up bringing their difficult-to-manage child for consultation saying ‘we have tried everything from reasoning with him, spanking him, punishing him, threatening him, to pleading with him but nothing happens!’ And when parents are pushovers, what becomes of their children.

They become demanding, self-centered, and impulsive. These children may have difficulty relating to authority figures. They may poorly tolerate frustrations since they are used to getting what they want. When they become parents themselves, they may become pushover parents themselves or in attempt to undo their faulty upbringing, become authoritarian parents.

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