Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved parents expect children to raise themselves. They don't devote much time or energy into meeting children's basic needs. These parents may be neglectful but it's not always intentional. A parent with mental health issues or substance abuse problems, for example, may not be able to care for a child's physical or emotional needs consistently.

These children receive little guidance, discipline, and nurturing from their parents. And oftentimes kids are left to raise themselves and make decisions — big and small — on their own.

Many parents can identify with being stressed, overworked, and tired. You know what we mean: when things get out of control, you might brush off your child for a few minutes of quiet and lonely.

Characteristics

Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is a considerably new parenting style that does away with hand-holding and guiding the children. It lets them learn by themselves.To better understand what uninvolved parenting consists of, it can be helpful to look at some of the key characteristics of this parenting style.

1. Emotional Detachment – Such parents think that their duty is limited to providing food and shelter, and no other needs such as connecting with their children emotionally. They do not feel the need to ask their kids about their daily activities, or even take care of them when the children feel emotionally down. They avoid any conflicts.
2. Too Occupied in Their Own Life - Uninvolved parents feel the pressure of the world and are generally busy with their issues. They may be too occupied in solving their problems and concerned about their lives that they may have the least interest in their child’s life.
3. Inappropriate Supervision - Sometimes parents may adopt either of the extreme approaches: they may either be too lenient towards their kid and may not know what he may be doing, or they may be too strict that they may restrict their kid’s social involvement.
4. Fewer Feelings – Parent Show little warmth, love, and affection towards their children. Such parents may not express their love towards their kids by hugging, kissing or by any other ways. They may have an indifferent attitude towards their child.
5. Less Involvement in child activities - Because of a lack of affection, uninvolved parents aren’t interested in their child’s schoolwork, activities, or events. They might skip their sports games or fail to show up for school meetings.
6. Abuse and Drug addicted - If parents are addicted to alcohol, drugs or other abusive substances then they fail in their responsibilities. Parents with substance abuse affect a child’s growth as they do not involve themselves with their children. In some cases, if parents lose their jobs, and come under financial constraints, then kids may have to drop out of school, or lack nutrition, among other things.

 Effects on Children

Uninvolved parenting style may affect a child in more than one way, and some of the effects of neglectful parenting on a child may include the following:

• A child may feel lost and directionless.
• The child may struggle to find his identity and may often be too timid.
• Increased risk of substance abuse.
• Lack of affection and attention can lead to low self-esteem.
• Have difficulty in social gathering due to lack of social skills.
• More likely to have symptoms of depression.
• Poor academic performance due to mental tolerance.

Pros of Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved parents typically lack a discipline style. So, unless a child's behaviour affects them, these parents don't usually offer any type of correction. They allow the child to act how they want. And these parents don't get upset when their child performs poorly in school or with other activities.

Cons of Uninvolved Parenting

Giving excessive leniency may have significant negative consequences. Let’s see what the drawbacks of uninvolved parenting are:

Lack of Confidence - Parents gives children the confidence to face the challenges. Unfortunately, children raised through uninvolved parenting lack this confidence and bravery. They usually have low self-esteem and are consequently uncertain about their own ability to face and deal with different situations. The absence of parental support and love also makes them feel insecure, thus making them worried over the smallest of things.

Low self-esteem- One major disadvantage of uninvolved parenting is that these children don’t develop an emotional connection with their uninvolved parent. A lack of affection and attention at a young age can lead to low self-esteem or emotional neediness in other relationships.

Mentally Stressed - In the absence of love and nurturing from the parent, these children may not learn the value of time. They might spend too much time watching television or playing online games.

Social Skills - Children of uninvolved parents may have difficulties with social interactions outside the home because parents rarely communicate or engage their children.

Emotional imbalance - Children who do not have limits set on their behaviour can have difficulty regulating their emotions, especially when their needs are not met.

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