Atticus Finch's Parenting Style

A single man left to play the role of the mother and father, must care for two children on his own, teaching them to the best of his abilities. The man, Atticus Finch, is left to parent his children after his wife died. He does what he can to parent his children excellently. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird shows that Atticus Finch’s parenting style is authoritative as shown by him setting high examples for his children, Jem and Scout, by explaining why those rules exist, and praising them for following his model. Atticus Finch sets a high expectation for his children. Atticus expects them to follow his rules. This is shown by Atticus telling Scout, “’Don’t say [n word], Scout. That’s common’” (Lee 99). Atticus is trying to point out to …show more content…
This is shown by when Jem receives a box after he helped an old lady by reading to her. When “Jem opened the box” inside was “a white, waxy, perfect camellia” (Lee 148). He was praised for this because of his exceptional work for reading to her. He learned that his actions are heavily praised when done right. While, when Scout did not want to go to school Atticus asked her to “concede the necessity of going to school” so that they can “[read] every night just as [they] always have” (Lee 41). Atticus wants Scout to go to school so he claims tells her that they can read every night to reward her for going to school. This trait is a necessary part of authoritative parenting. Atticus Finch’s parenting style is authoritative as illustrated by him raising the bar so his children can raise it higher. He explains why the rules exist, sets high examples, and rewards them for following his examples. All of this proves that Atticus’s parenting style is authoritative. In the real world, ways of teaching and parenting children can be more interesting than normal methods. Children in ways are smart and can make connections through other forms of parenting. Atticus is truly a wise man for teaching his children this