Authoritative parents demonstrate “high responsiveness and high demands.” They’re extremely warm and responsive to the child’s physical and emotional needs, but they also hold the child to high standards. Expectations and boundaries are clearly and consistently enforced.
This parenting style generally produces the best results in children. Children raised by authoritative parents tend to be content, independent, cooperative, warm, competent, and assertive. They have good social skills and go on to be confident, academically successful, and engaged in positive activities. They have better mental health and are less prone to drug and alcohol use or violent tendencies.