POP TopicalGuide2 ParentingStyles 2025 Digital

TOPICAL GUIDE #2 POWER OF PARENTS® Parenting Styles

What’s Inside Table of Contents

Parents Do Make a Difference �� 3

What Style of Parent Are You? ��4 • Authoritarian • Overprotective • Permissive • Positive/Authoritative

Seeking a Positive Balance ��13

Family Rules �� 15

Worst Case Scenario ��16

The Bottom Line ��17

How To Use This Topical Guide

Underage drinking and cannabis use poses a special risk to young people. It’s illegal and dangerous. This topical guide urges parents to:

SET A FAMILY RULE of no alcohol or cannabis use before age 21.

TALK EARLY AND OFTEN Use strategies recommended to talk with your child about alcohol and cannabis, even if it does not seem like they are interested in them.

AGREE ON CONSEQUENCES for breaking the no-use rule; enforce “zero tolerance.”

This is the second in a series of topical guides. Read the other topical guides and download MADD’s full parent handbook at madd.org/powerofparents.

Acknowledgments Mothers Against Drunk Driving® is grateful to Robert Turrisi, Ph.D., and his colleagues at The Pennsylvania State University for their partnership in this resource. Dr. Turrisi has spent decades researching how parents can talk effectively with teens about alcohol and cannabis. This resource draws from his work and from scientific knowledge in this field from all over the world.

Nationwide Insurance is the proud National Presenting Sponsor of Power of Parents . “As a company committed to protecting people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care, there is no more important work that aligns with our values than keeping our roadways, families, and communities safe. Thank you for your commitment to preventing underage substance use and impaired driving. Nationwide is proud to stand with you on this lifesaving mission.”

PARENTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Despite how it may feel at times,

research shows that parents are an important influence on whether or not their child will choose to drink alcohol or use cannabis. So, even when it seems like they might not be listening, keep talking… your words are not wasted. Parents who begin to have conversations even after

3 out of 4 kids

Three out of four kids say their parents are the number one influence on their decisions about drinking.

their children start college can still make a difference in their child’s choice to not drink or use cannabis until they are age 21. In order to make a BIG impact as a parent, you need to be intentional with your parenting. Everyone wants to be the best parent they can be,

so let’s take a look at some different parenting styles to figure out what works best for preventing underage substance use.

How you communicate, set boundaries, and respond to your child’s behavior helps shape the choices they make. That’s why understanding your parenting style, and how it affects your child’s decisions, can be a powerful tool in preventing underage substance use.

What Style of Parent Are You?

Scan the QR code to take the Parenting Styles Quiz. Parents rely on certain strategies for raising children. Do any of the parenting styles below seem familiar to you?

AUTHORITARIAN | Parent gives orders; “my way or the highway.”

OVERPROTECTIVE | Parent stays in control; parent intercedes so child does not face consequences of actions.

PERMISSIVE | Parent gives in; “kids will be kids.”

POSITIVE | Parent uses their authority to strengthen and protect (not control) the child. They build trust and teach decision-making skills.

AUTHORITARIAN

Authoritarian parents tend to use parental power to control their children. By focusing on obedience, these parents lose their ability to influence their child through reasoned discussion or to help develop positive thinking skills.

Children from authoritarian homes often behave well around their parents to avoid punishment, but have difficulty problem solving when parents are not around to consistently state what the rules are and what will happen if they break the rules. This makes children from authoritarian homes very susceptible to “outside the home” peer influences.

Children must do what they are told or face serious consequences.

Parents are unconcerned whether kids understand the reasons behind rules. Parents do not tolerate being asked for explanations.

Parents use threats and punishments to keep their kids in line.

Cycle of Rebellion

Research shows: Teens who feel threatened by their parents may behave well when the threatening parent is nearby but act out when that parent is gone. Children of authoritarian parents are less likely to develop internalized values that equip them to make wise decisions.

OVERPROTECTIVE

Overprotective parents shield their children from the harsh realities of life. Like authoritarian parents, they exert a lot of control over their children, but their method is different.

Instead of using rules and threats, overprotective parents present themselves as allies.

They see the world as a threat and express this fear to their children.

They rescue their children from dealing with any harsh reality.

For example, instead of helping children understand difficult homework assignments, overprotective parents actually do the work for them. This leaves a child poorly prepared to deal with the realities of adult life.

Overprotected children lack experience and may panic in stressful situations. This could present an issue for a teen who doesn’t feel empowered to say no when offered alcohol or other drugs, or they assume their parent is being “over the top” when they stress their fears about the dangers of underage substance use.

Research shows: Teens with overprotective parents may struggle with decision-making and independence, making them more vulnerable to peer pressure and risky behaviors.

Don’t Question EVERY PARENTING ACTION “Am I being too permissive? Am I being authoritarian?” Too much questioning can paralyze you as a parent. Instead, be careful to avoid extremes and seek a positive balance.

PERMISSIVE

Permissive parents take a hands-off approach. They:

Do not set expectations. Instead, they feel teens should be independent.

Permit their teen to explore the world without “interfering.”

Feel kids should be free to make mistakes and learn from them accordingly.

Permissive parents may not face as much rebellion as authoritarian or overprotective parents do. However, permissive parents deprive their children of wise guidance

In most instances permissive parents do so to help their children. They think that by being flexible with the rules their teens will be more honest with them and will tell the truth about their alcohol or cannabis use.

in developing effective problem-solving skills.

No scientific study supports the idea that allowing supervised teen drinking reduces risky behavior. In fact, research shows it can have the opposite effect, leading to earlier and heavier use. FACT CHECK:

Studies show that teens rarely tell their parents exactly how often and how much alcohol they drink. Teens often will grossly under-report risky behaviors to their parents (including alcohol and cannabis use). Even if it’s your house and your rules, many states have social host laws that hold adults

accountable for underage drinking and other substance use that happens on their property; whether they supplied it or not. Creating a safe environment doesn’t mean making room for alcohol or other substances. It means setting clear boundaries that protect your child’s health and your family’s future.

Research shows: Teens of permissive style parents tend to drink more often and heavier, use cannabis and other drugs, and engage in other risky behaviors that can lead to serious consequences. They also report having parents who are less willing to talk with them and have poorer relationships with their parents as a result.

POSITIVE

Positive parents focus on empowering their children to grow and learn. They...

Take an active role in teaching their teen responsibility.

Tend to use the “how, what, and why” question approach.

Set clear expectations about teen behavior, such as waiting until age 21 before drinking alcohol, no cannabis use, no impaired driving, and no getting into cars with others who have been drinking or using other drugs.

Set and enforce rules prohibiting drugs.

Explain reasons behind their expectations and encourage teens to talk about any concerns.

Set and enforce consequences when agreements are not met.

Research shows that positive parenting is the only parenting style that’s consistently linked with kids who make better decisions when no parents are around.

Positive parents know that their own age, knowledge,

experience, and material resources give them an important role in guiding

their children. They use that power to strengthen and protect their teens and help them grow into effective individuals. Positive parenting can be challenging because parents gradually relinquish control and give kids more freedom and responsibility with each passing year. These parents respect a teen’s drive for independence yet maintain firm boundaries. Their philosophy is to build trust and teach skills that empower the teen to take increasing control of their life. Instead of threatening severe punishment for bad behavior, they discuss, set, and enforce clear consequences for breaking rules. Research shows: Teens with positive-style parents are less likely to drink, use cannabis, or ride with impaired drivers. They also have fewer problems in school and with the law and report better relationships with their parents, when compared to children of other parenting styles.

Seeking a Positive Balance

Despite how it may feel sometimes, research shows that parents are an important influence on whether or not teens choose to drink alcohol, use cannabis or other substances, get into a car with someone who has been drinking alcohol or using other substances, or drive when impaired.

Many studies show that authoritarian, overprotective, and permissive parenting can lead to negative outcomes but it is never too late to adopt a new approach to parenting!

MULTIPLE STYLES It’s common for parents—and all the caring adults in a child’s life—to have different approaches to parenting. For example, one adult may be more rule-focused and strict (authoritarian), while another is more protective or emotionally nurturing. In families where caregiving is shared across grandparents, aunts and uncles, stepparents, or close family friends, there can be a wide range of parenting styles at play. These differences can sometimes lead to confusion

for kids, especially when expectations aren’t clearly aligned. But they can also be a strength. When adults work together, they have the opportunity to model teamwork, compromise, and respect for different perspectives.

To support healthy decision-making in children and teens, it’s important for caregivers to communicate regularly and establish shared expectations. While each adult may bring their own style, consistency in rules and consequences helps children feel secure and understand boundaries. It also helps prevent “splitting,” where kids try to play one adult against another. Ultimately, children should feel that—even if their caregivers approach things differently—they are united when it comes to love, safety, and accountability.

All of the best information from decades of studies done in the United States and Europe points to the same thing, with no exceptions – children and teens are safer when there are family rules present. When setting family rules, it’s important that all caretakers present a unified front so they can hold children accountable. Communication between parents and other caretakers is essential to make sure these rules are consistently adhered to by children. Don’t assume “they know better” or “they would never drink”— reiterate these rules, and the consequences of breaking them frequently.

DO: Impose fair, clear consequences. Talk to them about the mistake and make a plan for next time. Be firm and consistent.

DON’T: Act out of anger or impose unfair punishments.

Worst Case Scenario It is also important to have clear family rules about what to do if your teen is at someone’s home and alcohol or cannabis become present, whether an adult is supervising or not. The best practice is to have your child understand they should leave or call or text a trusted adult for a ride home if this happens. Some parents worry that offering a ride home could send the wrong message and make kids believe it’s okay to drink alcohol. Even if you offer a ride home, you can still enforce previously established consequences for breaking the no-substance rule. Assure your child that their safety is the #1 priority . When kids have good communication with their parents and trust that their parents won’t overreact (by getting angry and

setting harsh or unknown punishments), they are more likely to call home for help.

1. Pick up your child and get them home safely. Don’t get angry; stay calm on the way home.

If your child calls you to pick them up because either they or someone else has been drinking:

2. If the established

3. Talk again about the rules and consequences. Remind them, you only want to keep them safe.

household rule has been broken, pick the soonest appropriate time to discuss consequences with your child. It may be best to wait until the next day.

The Bottom Line

the latest research by Dr. Robert Turrisi, PhD at Penn State University, which, when followed, has shown up to a 30% reduction in underage drinking.

Your parenting style is one of the most powerful tools you have. The way you set expectations, enforce consequences, and talk with your child shapes how they respond to life’s biggest choices. Start the conversation now and keep showing up. What you do today can help your child make safer choices tomorrow. They are following… how are you leading? This series of resources can help parents substantially reduce the chance that their child will drink alcohol and use cannabis before the age of 21. Alcohol is the substance most commonly used by youth—more than all other illicit substances combined. MADD’s Power of Parents handbooks are based on

30% reduction in underage drinking

The evidence-based principles and materials are useful to help parents have the critical discussions about alcohol as well as cannabis and other substances with their children —from middle school through high school. By talking to children early and often, parents can prevent dangerous and deadly consequences from alcohol and other substances.

Download MADD’s full parent handbook at madd.org/ powerofparents for more tips and strategies for having critical conversations with your child about alcohol and other drugs.

HALT Drunk Driving Law As parents, we do everything we can to keep our teens safe— but right now, drunk driving remains the deadliest threat on our roads. That’s why MADD is leading the charge with the HALT Drunk Driving Law—a groundbreaking law that requires advanced technology in all new cars that will detect and stop drunk drivers. The next generation of vehicles can stop drunk drivers before they ever put your teen at risk.

Join MADD in the fight to end drunk driving for good. Learn more about the HALT Law and how you can help drive change to protect your teen’s future. Take action today: Visit madd.org/halt

National Presenting Sponsor

National Contributing Partner

National Supporting Partner

Preventing underage drinking requires a shared commitment, and MADD is grateful for General Motors’ partnership with the Power of Parents program. With their support, we are equipping more families with the resources they need to have open and honest conversations about alcohol and other drugs and their risks.

MADD’s mission is to end drunk and drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other drug use.

madd.org/powerofparents 877.ASK.MADD 24-hour Helpline: 877.MADD.HELP

511 E. John Carpenter Freeway Suite 200 Irving, TX 75062

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20

Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator