One well-known description of parenting styles is based on the research of Diana Baumrind, whose early work was a longitudinal study of about 100 mostly European American, middle-class preschool children, classified by high or low levels of warmth and control. Authoritative parents (high warmth, high control) set clear limits, enforce rules and expect mature behaviour, but are warm, listen to concerns, give reasons for rules and allow more democratic decision making.

Authoritarian parents (low warmth, high control) seem cold and controlling, expect obedience because I said so, use strict but not abusive punishment, and love their children but are not openly affectionate. Permissive parents (high warmth, low control) are warm and nurturing but set few rules and expect little mature behaviour.

Rejecting or uninvolved parents (low warmth, low control) do not seem to care and cannot be bothered with controlling, communicating or teaching their children. Authoritarian, authoritative and permissive parents all love their children and try their best; they simply have different ideas about the best way to parent.