Freedom and Child Rearing: Critic of Parenting Practices from a New Perspective

Freedom differentiates human beings from other creatures. It is a state of being that is unique to humankind and a quality th at defines us as humans. The concept of freedom is important to parenting practices. As we raise children to live as hu manly as possible, to be themselves and live their own life, we as parents and educators should have a good understanding of the concept of freedom. Freedom involves attaining laws of nature (mind) and rising above conditions. Laws that regulate natural processes and our lives are also embedded in our minds—they cannot be externally imposed. Therefore, self-will, self- attempts, and self-effort are needed to acquire these laws. The purpose of this study was to examine three parenting styles— indulgent, authoritarian, and authoritative—according to the above-mentioned perspective.