Parenting Style and Its Impact on the Development of Youth Self-Esteem

Parenting styles play a pivotal role in shaping adolescents' self-esteem, a critical determinant of psychological and social development. This study examines the relationship between parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—and the physical self-esteem of young people. Drawing on Baumrind's theoretical framework, the research highlights how parental warmth, responsiveness, and control influence self-worth. Using a quantitative design, data were collected from 120 youths in Sargodha through structured questionnaires measuring perceived parenting styles and physical self-esteem. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and t-test were employed, with significance set at p < 0.05. The findings reveal that authoritative parenting is the most prevalent style (51.7%) and demonstrates a significant positive relationship with youth self-esteem (r = 0.435, p < 0.01). Authoritarian and neglectful styles were negatively associated with self-esteem, while permissive parenting showed a weak positive but non-significant link. These results align with previous studies emphasizing the benefits of warmth and structured guidance in fostering confidence and resilience. Furthermore, the data underscore cultural and socioeconomic nuances, as authoritarian parenting in some contexts may reflect structural stress rather than deliberate harshness. The study highlights the importance of parental education and culturally sensitive interventions. Policy recommendations include implementing parenting education programs, integrating school-based parental engagement initiatives, and providing targeted support for low-income families. Overall, the research affirms that authoritative parenting fosters healthier youth development, with implications for educational, familial, and social policy reforms aimed at enhancing adolescent mental health and well-being.