Permissive Parental Behavior (A Study of Family Communication in Palu City)

Abstract

In contemporary family life, the relationship between parents and children is increasingly shaped by pattern of communication that emphasize openness, trust, and individual autonomy. Within this contex, permissive parental behavior does not always emerge as a fixed pattern of parenting, but may take different forms depending on the situations and decisions faced by the family. Contextual permissiveness in family communication: A qualitative study of parent-child communication in palu, Indonesia examines how permissive parental behavior is manifested in family communication and the situations in which parents provide greater freedom to their children. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study design, this study draws on in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving four parent selected through purposive sampling, with children serving as supporting informant for source triangulation. The findings reveal that permissive behavior is expressed through appreciation of children’s opinion, involment in decision making, flexible application of rules, limited parental monitoring, minimal punishment, and freedom in personal choices. However, such permissiveness is not applied uniformly across family life. Parents tend to provide greater autonomy in matters concerning education, social relationships, employment, and future career choices, while maintaining boundaries regarding religious values, safety, and family principles. The findings further indicate that the communication patterns predominantly reflect characteristics of pluralistic familiesm although consensual characteristics remain present in matters involving parental values and authority. This study argues that permissive parenting should therefore be understood as contextual and selective, suggesting that parental freedom giving can coexist with guidance, trust, and the preservation of fundamental family values.