An Uninvolved Parenting style, often called neglectful, indifferent or dismissive parenting, is both unresponsive and undemanding toward the child.

In extreme cases, this type of parenting style might encompass both rejecting-neglecting and neglectful parents.

Sometimes, the uninvolved parenting style is referred to as the "indifferent parenting style" due to its lack of emotional involvement and supervision of children. The parents are generally not involved in their child's life, but will provide basic needs for the child.

Sadly for their children, these types of parents are usually struggling to manage their own neglected childhoods, lacking personal, financial and supportive help for themselves, often the result of their own toxic parenting.



This rejecting/neglecting style of parenting is low on both love and limits.

It is generally thought of as both uncaring and inadequate to meet the needs of children.

What are the Hallmarks of
Authoritative Parenting?

• The parent is both unresponsive and undemanding

• Usually psychologically unavailable to the child.

Dismissive parenting is in many ways similar to permissive parenting but the parent does not care much about the child.

These parents do as little for their children as they can get away with, and often go to great lengths to minimize their involvement.

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There are many similarities here with Toxic Parenting - I would encourage you to seek professional help if your childhood has been harmed by an uninvolved parenting style.

The phrase toxic parent was coined to describe parents whose own negative behaviour grossly inflicts emotional damage which contaminates their children's sense of self.

This means parents who abuse their children verbally, physically and/or sexually, as well as parents who are inadequate or ignore their children's emotional needs.

Sometimes these patterns are so established they continue into adulthood, and often are either not recognised or addressed.

There are some toxic parents whose consistently negative patterns of parenting leave a legacy of guilt and shame within their children, and worse still there are parents whose outright cruelty would be considered illegal if exhibited toward animals, let alone their own children.

Development of the Child:

Uninvolved Parenting Style

• The parents' needs and wants are always first priority, so that the lack of a good, loving relationship with the child has a significant negative impact on the child's psychosocial development.

• Most uninvolved parents are unable to encourage, teach or enable their children. They are often indifferent in their behaviour toward their children and lack the knowledge to meet their children's even basic needs.

• As the parents themselves are often experiencing financial, emotional and social stress, the impact on their children can be devastating.

• Social isolation and lack of friendship and support from relatives often leaves the children suffering from loneliness, fear and anxiety.

• Often uninvolved and neglectful parents are heavily involved in addictive behaviours, leaving the children to act as their parents caregivers. This creates its own set of problems for the children's future development.

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I invite you to explore these ideas and find where you fit.

What is your parenting style?

Can you see your own level of responsiveness and demandingness?

Are you an uninvolved parent?
Is this your style of parenting?

From Uninvolved Parenting Style to

Permissive
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Over-Protective Parenting Styles.

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