Parenting Styles in Wuthering Heights
Hindley’s parenting style or lack thereof is a great representation of Neglectful parenting. He neither cares for Hareton, nor does he set rules or boundaries for his son. The only interactions Hindley has with his son are violent and resulted in Hareton’s great disliking for his own father. Studies have shown that neglectful parenting can lead to low self esteem, lower intelligence and less self control as shown in his interactions with both Linton and Cathy. When Nelly comes across Catherine and Hareton she says “[Hareton], comprehend[ed] precious little of the fluent succession of remarks and questions which her tongue never ceased pouring forth” (187). Hareton’s short temper is seen shortly afterwards, when after being insulted by Catherine he says, “I’ll see thee damned before I be thy servant!” (189) In the end Hareton turns to Heathcliff as a father figure, who really isn’t the best of role models, and picks up many of his habits; cussing, a short temper, and discomfort in social situations.
Permissive parenting is often called indulgent parenting, and leads to children growing up unhappy and “whiny”. This is clearly shown in the way that Linton acts upon arriving at Thrushcross Grange, when he sobs “I can’t sit on a chair!” (194), and is not content again until he has been seen to as he sees fit. He is used to getting whatever he wants and is used to being able to control what he wants. Isabella’s way of parenting, while not harsh or cruel in any way still seems to have brought about less than stellar traits in Linton that would not have been, had she not been a pushover, much like her own parents were with her.
Surprisingly, Edgar’s way of parenting, or rather Edgar’s parenting through Nelly, seems to have had the best outcome. Although stifling at times, he clearly cared for and loved Cathy, provided for her everything she could want, but also had rules and boundaries in place about where she could go. Children whose parents are of the authoritative style, like Cathy, tend to be happier, smarter and better able to deal with their emotions than children of other parenting styles. Her intelligence is commented on by Nelly, when she says “curiosity and a quick intellect urged her into an apt scholar.” (183) She also notices that “her spirit was high, and qualified by a heart sensitive and lively to excess in its affections” (183). Nelly was really the mother figure in Cathy’s life, and did most of the disciplining.
Heathcliff, whose parenting was also of the same nature he received from Hindley, was very much of the Authoritarian style of parenting with Linton. Not to be confused with authoritative parenting, Authoritarian parenting is more of a dictatorship than a democracy. Despite doing as he is told, Linton still shows fear towards his father when he says “I dread him! I dread him! I dare not tell!” (255)
Parenting styles differ from person to person, circumstance to circumstance, and have an impact on the lives of their children. Parenting styles also reflect the style of parenting that their own parents used with them.
But do the effects of Parenting styles permanently affect a child and the way they grow up? Or are they temporary influences easily overridden by more life experience?
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