Parenting and child-rearing styles are as unique and individualized as are the number of caregivers. However, according to psychologist Diane Baumrind, four main styles were identified as most common in American families and then developed by Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin. Style was determined based on ratings of caregiver responsiveness and requests (expectations). The styles are: permissive, authoritarian and authoritarian and uninvolved. Permissive caregiving is a child-rearing style that is identified by two key traits: attentiveness and reluctance to impose limits or limits on a child. Permissive caregivers tend to want to be a friend or buddy, not an authority figure. Permissive caregivers attempt to develop and shape a child with love, attention, and the belief that a child has the right to make their own choices, regardless of the potential outcome. Permissiveness allows for a wide range of self-regulation. This can be complicated because caregivers interact in a friendly, non-overbearing manner. Children essentially have to form their own ideas and opinions about what is good for them. According to this theory, the expectations are that the child will self-regulate according to the standards and maturity of an adult. This is not always the case. Children raised in a permissive style are often ill-equipped to make positive or informed decisions when faced with moral, ethical, or appropriate choices. Children raised in a permissive style are at higher risk of: self-centeredness, inability to show compassion or concern for others. . Children raised permissively tend to be unruly, question authority, and generally do not conform to a group. Permissive children are unable to adapt to routine,...... middle of paper ......-. Retrieved from http://www.amsciepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pr0.1995.77.3.819 Beaty, J. J. (2014). Observe the development of the young child. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Bredekamp, ​​S. and Copple, C. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Marion, M. (2011). Supporting young children. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.NCBI. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791524/Permissive parenting: A scientific guide to parenting for research. (nd). Permissive parenting: A guide for science-minded parents. Retrieved from http://www.parentingscience.com/permissive-parenting.htmlTypes of Parenting Styles. (nd). Types of parenting styles. Retrieved from http://www.the-positive-parenting-centre.com/types_of_parenting_styles.html