Most American voters have probably heard the platforms of Republican candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich when it comes to the global terrorism threat of ISIS as well as the issues on the economy, taxes, healthcare and education. But would a candidate's parenting style reflect his leadership skills?
U.S. presidential candidates Trump, Cruz and Kasich have shared their parenting tales and some fatherly wisdom in raising their children. Despite the fact that Trump, Cruz and Kasich all appear to be fantastic fathers, some couldn't help but wonder if the parenting styles they practice will reflect what type of a leader they would be.
Trump, Cruz and Kasich and their Parenting Styles
According to psychologists, there are four major parenting styles: authoritative, uninvolved/neglectful, permissive and authoritarian, About Health notes. While uninvolved parenting is perceived as the most harmful among the categories, authoritative is believed to be the most effective.
Even though many are interested to know what parenting styles did Trump, Cruz, Kasich and even Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders practice, CNN admits it would be hard to determine which category they fall in. However, the United States will reportedly be in good hands if the candidate who'll win in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections in November is an "authoritative" parent.
"Most studies find authoritative to be by far the best for the children," The New York Psychoanalytic Institute psychoanalyst, The New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine associate professor of psychiatry and "The Anatomy of a Secret Life" author Dr. Gail Saltz said. "I would say that leadership style may follow a similar route... Great leaders lead but also allow for disagreement and discourse and debate and may not have the last word."
Parenting Style and the Kind of President the Candidates Might Be
Parenting experts stressed no one can make a judgment about someone's parenting based on cautiously choreographed scenarios like a televised campaign. They also added that being a good parent does not ensure if a candidate possesses effective leadership skills.
"There have been great leaders who were not great parents as well as great parents who were less-than-stellar leaders," Saltz stated.
Saltz added the behavior of a candidate's children or how intact their family does not also reflect being a good leader. Saltz explained those characteristics change with developmental stage and age.
What is vital for leadership and overall mental health, however, is having a strong, solid relationship with someone in life. It does not have to be one's parents but someone who was able to think about you.
"If you have the experience of some person in your life growing up who was able to think about you, then you are more likely to develop this ability for emotional regulation, which is the thing you really want in our president," pediatrician and author Dr. Claudia Gold said.
Trump and His Parenting Skills
Despite being one of the most controversial presidential candidates, Athens Banner-Herald claims there is no question about Donald Trump's parenting skills. The publication even notes that Trump may not be "presidential material" but to his children, he's the best.
"[Donald Trump" might not be presidential material, but it seems that, at least for Eric, Don Jr., Ivanka, Tiffany and Barron, he actually does know best," Christine Flowers wrote.
Do you think a candidate's parenting style can tell what kind of president they might be? Sound off below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
