An Approach Of Parenting Styles From The Perspective Of Transactional Analyze

Abstract

This study presents an approach of parenting styles from the perspective of transactional analyze. Based on the theoretical system developed by psychologist Eric Berne (1961), transactional analyze (TA) as experiential approach modern counseling and psychotherapy, was conceived as a means of development and personal evolution to improve communication, of interrelation. Transactional analyze identifies how the social environment, especially family, school, and, more recently, media, influences the formation of particular patterns of communication and interrelation, with positive/negative effects, personal and social. The theoretical study reveals the correlations between the different parenting styles and states of ego expressed by parents in their relationships with the children and their effects in terms of developing condition of Ego responsible for certain emotions, beliefs and behaviors of children and adolescents (Normative Parent, Benevolent Parent, Adult, Free Child, Adapted Child, Rebel Child). We believe that for parents and counselors/psychotherapists this analysis is useful. The adoption a correct parenting style is essential for the harmonious development of children's personality.

Keywords: Transactional Analyze (TA)parenting styleEgo statesParent EgoAdult EgoChild Ego

Introduction

The family is one of the oldest social constructions in ensuring continuity and affirmation of the

human species. It is the most relevant socio-affective background for the formation and evolution of the

man. The evolution of family is conditioned by the values the society reflects at a certain historical stage:

axiomatic, scientific, political, economic, technological etc. The level of adaptation and social integration

of a person is directly dependent on acquisitions within the family group affiliation as the primary source

of learning, emotional support and security.

The modalities of expression and manifestation of feelings, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of

parents in relationships with their children determine certain styles and create a certain emotional climate.

Synthesizing the papers which approach the parenting styles, we find that they are established according to two criteria:

a. authority/liberalism or constraint/tolerance;

b. love/hostility or attachment/rejection (Reuchlin, 1972; Kellerhals & Montandon, 1997, cf. Stănciulescu, 1997).

In this regard, the typology formulated by Diana Baumrind in 1973 is representative: authoritarian

style (control the child's behavior in a punitive mode; high anxiety), democratic style (collaborates with

the child in a protective mode; low anxiety) the permissive style (the child resolves the tasks

independently, the parents do not cooperate with the child, but offer positive feedback).

Another tiplogie elaborated by Clautier in 1996 it is based on two criteria (as cited in Stănciulescu,

1997): sensitivity (to the child's needs) and control (active/passive). Combining them, it results:

autocratic style (insensitive parents to the needs of child, active control); disengaged style (low control,

low interest for child and his needs); permissive style (sensitive parents to the needs of child, low

control); democratic style (active control, sensitivity to the child's needs).

The study of parental typologies helps parents or prospective parents to adopt a correct parental

style for harmonious evolution of their children (emotional, cognitive and behavioral). On that aspect

reflects different orientations modern psychological and pedagogical, with theoretical and methodological

impact on counseling and psychotherapy, but also on educational practice. That is transactional analysis

(TA) which identifies the role of social environment (family, school, and, more recently, media) in the

formation of patterns of communication and interrelation, with positive /negative consequences in

personal and social existence.

Based on the theoretical system developed by psychologist Eric Berne ( Transactional Analysis

and Psychotherapy , 1961), transactional analysis, as experiential modern approach in counseling and

psychotherapy, was conceived as a means of development and personal evolution for to improve

communication and interpersonal relationships. Berne suggests structuring of personality in three Ego

states: Parent Ego, Adult Ego, Child Ego. Each person develops three Ego states. These including: rules

and behaviors, thoughts, judgments, emotions and feelings. The harmony and their proper updating of

situation is the sine qua non condition for our state well, child or adult (De Lassus, 2000).

In the transactional counseling, an important role is given to the development of Child state, of

creative, original and unique component of person. The person is encouraged to trust in intuition , to

express emotions and feelings, freely and spontaneously, to learn new permissions (ex: to find a large

number of additions to the phrase: I decide to allow me to ...!) .

„Depending on the type of education in family and school, the three Ego states develops

harmoniously or disproportionate” (Băban, 2001, p. 63). By inadequate educational models and strategies

is hypertrophy one or another state. For example, the rigid, constraining education exacerbates the Parent

Ego. Contrary, a very permissive education leads to oversize of Child Ego .

Purpose of the study

This study presents an approach of parenting styles from the perspective of transactional analyze

(theoretical system developed by psychologist Eric Berne in 1961).The study proposes an analysis of

correlations between parenting styles and Egostates that parents express them in their relations with their

children. Also, the study highlights the consequences of parenting styles on Egostates of the child:

Normativ Parent (NP), Benevolent Parent (BP), Adult (A), Adapted Child (AC), Free Child (FC), Rebel

Child (RC).

Their purpose this study is essentially understanding of human reality, the relationship between

educational style of parents and children's attitudes and behaviors in relationships with self and with

others. The adoption a correct parenting style is essential for the harmonious development of children's

personality.

Research methods

Our study is based on the method of descriptiv case study (Yin, 1994, as cited in Tellis, 1997).

This method allowed the identification of correlations between parenting styles and Ego states expressed

in parent-child communication. Also, we identified correlations between parenting styles and Ego states

that each generates to the child's personality.

Findings

The correlations between parenting styles and Ego states expressed in parent-child communication

- Normativ Parent (NP), Benevolent Parent (BP), Adult (A), Adapted Child (AC), Free Child (FC), Rebel

Child (RC) - are described in the table below (Table 1).

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In the table below are described the parenting styles and Ego states of the child (Table 2):

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Our study shows the relationship between parenting styles and Ego states expressed by attitudes

and parental behaviors. Also, the study shows the relationship between parenting styles and Ego states

generated at the child's personality: Normative Parent, Benevolent Parent, Adult, Adapted Child, Free

Child, Rebel Child. Thus, we can identify the following relational schemes:

1. Authoritarian parenting style (Normative Parent)⇒Adapted Child, Rebel Child, Normative

Parent.

2. Democratic parenting style (Adult, Benevolent Parent, Free Child) ⇒ Adult, Free Child,

Benevolent Parent.

3. Permissive parenting style (Benevolent Parent, Free Child, Adapted Child) ⇒ Adult, Free

Child, Rebel Child.

4. Abusive parenting style (Normative Parent, Rebel Child) ⇒ Adapted Child, Rebel Child.

5. Negligent parenting style (Rebel Child, Normative Parent) ⇒Rebel Child, Adapted Child, Free

Child.

Conclusions

However, this dates expresses a relative reality. Each family is unique, by its relations, by the

functions they performs, by communication, attitudes and behaviors. For this reason, the issuing of

general assertions is risky. We believe that for parents and counselors/psychotherapists this analysis is

useful. In sessions of psycho-pedagogical transactional counseling, the parents or future parents should

learn that the adoption a correct parenting style is essential for the harmonious development of children's

personality: cognitive, emotional and behavioral. Moreover, the whole dynamic of transactional

counseling is centered on learning, development and optimization.

References

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2. Baumrind, D. (1978). Parental disciplinary patterns and social competence in children. Youth & Society,
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6. De Lassus, R. (2000). Analiza tranzacţională. Bucureşti: Editura Teora.
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8. Stănciulescu, E. (1997). Sociologia educaţiei familiale, I. Strategii educative ale familiilor contemporane.Iaşi: Editura Polirom.
9. Tellis, W. (1997). Introduction to case study, The Qualitative Report, 3(2). htpp://www.nova.edu/sss/QR/QR3-2/tellis1.html.