UNINVOLVED PARENTING – CONSEQUENCES

Written by Liza John  

No two parents are ever the same, from financial backgrounds, family, support systems and various other factors everything is different. Hence, it is no surprise that different parents have different ways of bringing up their children.  

Although these differences exist, there are certain patterns or similarities found in various parenting approaches and based on these similarities parenting styles have been categorised as authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and uninvolved. The rest of this article will be focusing on uninvolved parenting and its consequences.    

What Is Uninvolved Parenting? 

As the name suggests, the uninvolved parenting method is when all the basic needs of the child are met, but parents have little or no involvement with the day-to-day activities of what is happening in their child’s life. In some extreme cases, parents might fail to provide the children with even the basic necessities. Thus, uninvolved parenting is also called neglectful parenting.  

Neglectful or uninvolved parents rarely try to set boundaries or discipline their children. Nor do they provide guidance of any sort. In simple words, the child is left to fend for itself.  

Factors That Cause Uninvolved Parenting  

Uninvolved parenting could be adopted intentionally by some parents. For instance, because they have been brought up under similar circumstances or as they believe that it is the right way to bring up children. It is common in such parents to believe that such a parenting style would help their children to take care of themselves and become independent at an early age, however in most cases this is far from true.   

Usually, uninvolved parenting is a result of other factors in life such as financial backgrounds, lack of a support system or the environment. Parents may be unable to find the right work-life balance and hence end up being unable to meet their responsibilities as parents. In cases where parents are dealing with issues such as depression, substance abuse or other mental health issues, they may not realise how uninvolved they are.   

Consequences Of Uninvolved Parenting  

The negative traits of neglectful parenting are more pronounced than its benefits and hence uninvolved parenting has been dubbed as the worst parenting style. Though it may be likely that children grow up to be tough and independent very early due to such parenting, chances that things go South are far greater.  

 Children raised under a neglectful parenting style also find it difficult to make emotional attachments later in life. They may not easily trust or open up with people which makes it difficult to make healthy relationships. Moreover, such children may easily fall prey to substance abuse or alcoholism or cause self-harm.   

Children growing up in this atmosphere may grow up with low self-esteem and may not be able to connect with others or form good relationships. They may feel unwanted or unworthy of affection and need emotional support to help them get out of their problems.   

Children who are brought up by neglectful parents often feel neglected, lonely and have to learn from his or her own mistakes. In an academic context, involved parenting keeps the child on track. Allowing the child to do as they please, can have tremendous negative impacts, leading to a lack of self-control, impulsive behaviour and self-acceptance issues.  

The child may grow up without a belief system or regulated discipline. Uninvolved parenting method may not condition the child into believing a certain pattern works for life (this might perhaps be the only benefit).  

This mode of parenting may cause the child to have difficulty in opening up, be involved in social activities and act impulsive or not be able to keep track of oneself.   

Final Words  

The manner in which a child is brought up and made to feel, impacts his or her future tremendously. It is crucial for a child to feel wanted, listened to and cared for. Uninvolved parenting is a parenting style where parents do not or are unable to connect to and fulfill the emotional needs of their children.   

On the other hand, authoritative parenting includes involvement and imposing certain restrictions when necessary. Spending time with children and being a part of their life builds trust and thus gives rise to healthy relationships.    

In the initial years of growing up, children look up to their parents as idols or role models and try to copy their actions. Bonding between parents and children is critical in the early years and this can happen only by spending time together and communicating.