Hal’s behavior is essentially that of a delinquent young adult who is seeking to rebel against the rigid authoritarian expectations of his father. Harsh words and punishments can lead to disrespect for authority on the part of the child, causing more delinquent behavior. Fathers, far more often than mothers, are the individuals who favor the authoritarian style and rely on power-assertive techniques to control their children, using physical punishments and verbal threats to exert authority (Bigner 71). Another parental behavior that may lead to delinquent behavior in children is the manner in which they are disciplined and controlled. Attempting to control children, especially young adults, therefore, is not a productive idea because it is likely to result in negative behavior. Research has indicated that individuals, particularly teenagers, “react badly to being controlled by others,” especially by overbearing parents who do not respect the need to experience life (Kerr and Stattin 124). The authoritarian style of parenting, with its firm expectations and regulations for behavior, has been linked to delinquent conduct in adolescents. In cradle-clothes our children where they lay (83-87).Įssentially, King Henry wishes that his son was someone else and refuses to accept him for who he is. That some night-tripping fairy had exchanged Whilst I, by looking on the praise of him The King frequently denounces his son, seeking to reject that they are of the same blood because he is ashamed of his actions, stating in act 1, scene 1: In an attempt to force Hal to behave according to his high standards, King Henry exerts psychological control over his son “through use of parenting practices such as guilt induction, withdrawal of love, or shaming” (Darling). He wants Hal to be a responsible, impeccably behaved young man, acting in ways that reflect well on his father’s reputation as king. King Henry employs the authoritarian style of parenting with Hal by forcing Hal to live up to unreasonably high expectations. An authoritarian parent places high demands and expectations on the child, requiring that the child follows the rules without question or explanation (Darling). The authoritarian style of parenting is the final of the four styles and is not very conducive to a successful and happy child. These parents have reasonable standards of behavior for their children and discipline their children in a way that allows them to learn from their mistakes this balance makes them the most beneficial parent. Drastically different from this style, the authoritative parent gives adequate amount of assistance to the child and exerts the proper amount of control over the child. A second style is the uninvolved parent who does not support or discipline the child, leaving the child to fend for him or herself by neglecting to give direction or compassion to the child. One style is the indulgent parent who readily offers support and warmth to the child, but does not demand much of the child by being very lenient on rules and behavioral expectations. Therefore, the father’s parenting style, method of control, expectations, and practice of conditional love influence the behavior of the child – for worse – as evidenced by the relationship between King Henry and his son, Hal, in Shakespeare’s play, 1 Henry IV.Īccording to Nancy Darling, PhD, MS, in her article, “Parenting Style and Its Correlates,” a variety of parenting styles exist that describes the normal differences in raising children, in terms of how the amount of support and warmth the parent provides the child with and the manner in which the parent controls the child. This controlling nature and parenting style can quickly lead to delinquent behavior in the child, resulting in less love for the child. Typically, the father is the disciplinarian because he has an authoritarian style of parenting and exerts control over the child through loving the child based on his or her behavior: more love goes to the well-behaved child. A father is now expected to play an instrumental role in raising his child, and the manner in which he does so affects how the child behaves. The relationship between a father and his child is more important than one is led to believe, for the father does not exist solely for the purpose of providing for his family. The Problems of Authoritarian Parenting in 1 Henry IV The Problems of Authoritarian Parenting in 1 Henry IV
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