The movie White Oleander is the epitome of many psychological principles, but specifically it is a great example of parenting styles. In the movie, the main character, a troubled teenager named Astrid, moves from place to place looking for family and comfort after her mom is taken away to prison for murder. One person in particular that Astrid stays with is named Claire. Claire will be focused on as an example of authoritative parenting styles. Claire conforms to and accurately displays authoritative parenting styles.
Authoritative parents are generally considered the most loving and to offer the best environment for the child. The main way that authoritative parents are set apart from the other three types of parenting styles, authoritarian, neglectful, and permissive, is that the authoritative parent negotiates with the child. An authoritative parent wants their child to be independent and able to think for themselves, but they also want the child to make wise decisions. In order for this to happen, the parents offer suggestions as opposed to commands; and they consider the child’s opinions, likes, and dislikes. It is assumed that most children of authoritative parents have great social competence, self reliance, and social responsibility. They do not let the child run buck-wild but guide and encourage them lovingly towards good choices.
The first way that Claire exemplified an authoritative parent in this clip is how she leaves Astrid’s room. The room is very white with only a few things of taste, like the rabbit painting. Claire tells Astrid that she left it this way so that Astrid could have the opportunity to express herself. Secondly, Claire offers Astrid an array of drink options. In both of these instances, Claire has provided the slate on which Astrid can carve, metaphorically speaking. As a good authoritative parent, Claire allows Astrid to be independent and expressive.
Claire, as an authoritative parent, also wants to show Astrid good living habits, which Astrid has not learned from her previous home environments. Claire talks and laughs with Astrid but also provides her with nice clothes, exercise, and good food. This is Claire helping Astrid develop social competence. Claire talks to Astrid about her job in show business. One study conducted by Ellen Greenberger and Wendy A. Goldberg (1989) suggests that parents that discuss their jobs in a loving setting with their children are more likely to be authoritative and enjoy their commitment to parenting.
Claire, as an authoritative parent, also wants to show Astrid good living habits, which Astrid has not learned from her previous home environments. Claire talks and laughs with Astrid but also provides her with nice clothes, exercise, and good food. This is Claire helping Astrid develop social competence. Claire talks to Astrid about her job in show business. One study conducted by Ellen Greenberger and Wendy A. Goldberg (1989) suggests that parents that discuss their jobs in a loving setting with their children are more likely to be authoritative and enjoy their commitment to parenting.
in this clip, Claire’s husband Mark returns from business in Nova Scotia. At this time Claire must also give attention to Mark in addition to Astrid. In this way she is displaying to Astrid how to be self reliant. In the presence of Mark, Claire also asks Astrid to help her carry food out to the table. She politely asks, “Can you get that?” This helps Astrid develop social responsibility.
At the dinner table, Claire encourages Astrid’s artistic tendencies, thus encouraging her on to achieve realistic goals that will benefit her. The authoritarian parent offers positive reinforcement so that the child will feel accepted and valued.
Immediately following this scene at the dinner table, Astrid goes out to the porch because she was thinking about her mother. Like a good authoritative parent, Claire comes out and asks her if she is feeling alright. Claire offers both physical and emotional support to Astrid throughout the entire scene. In “Exploring the associations between maternal personality, child temperament, and parenting: A focus on emotions,” it is said that authoritative parents teach their children emotional regulation (Coplan, Reichel, and Rowan, 2008).
Claire, as an authoritative parent, also has the authority and responsibility to do what she sees fit for Astrid. This explains why she withheld telling Astrid about the letters from her mother even though Astrid would have preferred to know. The authoritative parent wants what is best for their child but also wants to influence in the way they best see fit.
Claire provides for Astrid what she did not find anywhere else in the movie, a loving and encouraging authoritative parent.
Where is the second principle? I cannot give you points for that one!
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