uppfostringsstil

Uppfostringsstil, literally “rearing style” in Swedish, refers to the overall approach parents or caregivers take when raising children. The concept encompasses attitudes, values, communication patterns, and disciplinary practices that influence a child’s development. It is used by psychologists, educators and policy makers to describe and evaluate parenting strategies.

The field distinguishes three broad categories. Authoritative uppfostringsstil combines warmth and emotional support with firm expectations, structured routines and clear limits. This style is associated with positive outcomes such as social competence, academic success and mental well‑being. Authoritarian uppfostringsstil is characterised by strict rules, high demands and little emotional responsiveness or dialogue. Children raised under this style may perform well academically but can display lower self‑esteem, higher anxiety and poorer social relationships. Permissive uppfostringsstil involves high warmth but low expectations and weak control mechanisms, which may foster creativity and autonomy but can also lead to difficulties in self‑regulation and impulse control.

In Sweden, the concept gained prominence in the 1970s through the work of sociologists and child‑development specialists. It became part of the national discussions on child welfare and education. Over the past decades, Swedish research has linked the degree of authoritative practices to health outcomes, such as lower rates of substance abuse and greater participation in civic life.

Cross‑cultural studies reveal that cultural norms and socioeconomic conditions moderate how uppfostringsstil manifests and its predictive power. For example, what is considered an authoritative approach in one culture may be perceived as overly strict in another. Swedish policy initiatives, such as the introduction of parental leave and child‑care reforms, aim to support families in fostering balanced uppfostringsstil, recognising that stable structures and open communication are key to promoting resilience and well‑being among children.