Correction or Connection - What's The Better Approach to Parenting?

posted on Jul 10, 2024

Gurukul The School, a well-known school in Ghaziabad, would like to take a moment to share that neither path is inherently right or wrong

"Parenting is like holding a piece of your heart outside your body."

In the world of parenting, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. It is a journey taken by parents with their children, one baby step at a time. Some parents lean towards correction, emphasizing discipline and boundaries, while others lay priority on connection building, where empathy and understanding step in as the central pillars.

Here, we at Gurukul The School, a well-known top ranking school in ghaziabad, would like to take a moment to share that neither path is inherently right or wrong. In the end, it all boils down to a parent’s individual choice backed by independent cultural inclination and values. Today, in this blog post, let us discuss the two approaches—connection and correction in detail and see if any of these can be stated as the better one.

What is a Correction-Oriented Approach to Parenting?

A correction-oriented approach to parenting emphasizes following pre-defined structures, disciplinary rules, and boundaries. The focus of this approach is on teaching children to differentiate between right and wrong by understanding consequences and receiving guidance.

Parents who follow this method of parenting look at instilling responsibility and accountability in their children by clearly communicating everything that is expected of them. Here, discipline gains momentum as it shapes behavior and sows the seeds of independence.

Most often, correction-oriented parenting is perceived as strict, but in the real world, it is known to equip children with the skills to navigate the complexities of the world. Love continues to remain a stepping-stone here, backed by the desire to raise morally right individuals who are inclined to make positive choices and contribute meaningfully to society.

What is a Connection-oriented approach to Parenting?

Now, coming to a connection-oriented approach to parenting, this has to do with empathy, understanding, and emotional support acting as the core of all of it. Here, the focus is on building strong bonds between the parent and the child, which becomes possible with free-flowing communication and mutual respect. Parents who opt for this method of parenting focus on their children's emotional well-being, and to achieve this, they build a safe and secure environment via a strong connection. The goal remains to make children feel acknowledged and validated.

Connection-oriented parenting focuses on building trust and compassion, which allows children to confidently voice themselves and, no matter what, be understood. It encourages collaboration while side-lining control, which ends up cultivating a deep sense of belonging and self-worth among children. With this approach in place, nurturing healthy relationships and promoting resilience in children becomes a cakewalk.

Correction vs. Connection-oriented Parenting: Which is better?

Correction-oriented and connection-oriented parenting each has its own set of merits. However, we at Gurukul The School would not like to side with one another for being inherently superior. We strongly believe the effectiveness of a parenting approach depends on multiple factors, including the child's temperament, developmental stage, and the specific circumstances at hand.

Correction-oriented methods provide structure and teach children about accountability and consequences, which act as pivotal skills in facing today’s worldly challenges. However, excessive focus on correction can cause strain on the parent-child relationship leading to hindering the ever-lasting, beautiful emotional connection.

On the other hand, connection-oriented parenting, which usually focuses on empathy, communication, and understanding, can help nurture a strong emotional bond. This helps in raising secure children who internalize values rather than simply complying with rules, some of which they do not even agree with and are obeying by force. Yet, without clear boundaries and a strict approach, a lack of self-discipline among children becomes a common sight.

This is why we at Gurukul The School firmly believe that it is always ideal to cumulate the best of both worlds. We believe the best approach to parenting is a blend of correction and connection while keeping specific situations as the base of action. By maintaining a balance between setting limits and building an emotional connection, parents can best contribute to their children's holistic development.

At the end of the day, as parents, you enjoy the liberty of choosing a parenting mechanism that you deem fit for your child. While doing so, you must go ahead fearlessly without having to worry about the opinions and judgments that people make.

Summing Up:

Children have a dominant role to play in shaping how their parents choose to approach parenting. This becomes relevant amidst the debate between correction-oriented and connection-oriented parenting, too!

At Gurukul The School, a highly trusted top ranking school in ghaziabad, we understand that each child is unique and is blessed with an independent personality and emotions. However, this uniqueness of children further makes it necessary for parents to adapt their parenting methods wisely. A child's behavior and responses act as feedback for parents to determine which approach will be better for them and work most effectively in providing children with a supportive and nurturing environment.

Let’s not forget, ultimately, the goal of parenting is to enjoy the journey alongside one's children, creating bonds and memories that last until eternity. By remaining open-minded, patient, and resilient, parents can create a harmonious balance between correction and connection, making an alloy of both, the right way forward.