Final answer:
The statement that authoritarian parents explain the reasons for their rules to their children is False. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and conformity without providing explanations or showing warmth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'A distinctive feature of authoritarian parents is that they explain the reasons for their rules and expectations to their children' is False. Authoritarian parenting is characterized by high demands with little responsiveness to the child's needs. In this style, parents enforce strict rules and expect obedience without necessarily explaining the reasoning behind their rules and expectations. Authoritarian parents are less likely to provide warmth or nurturing that could facilitate understanding, instead emphasizing conformity and obedience.
Diana Baumrind's research contrasts authoritarian parenting with authoritative parenting, where parents do set rules but also explain the reasons behind them and show warmth and affection. The authoritative style is associated with higher self-esteem and social skills in children and is often encouraged in modern American society, although the efficacy of parenting styles can vary with culture.