Final answer:
The authoritative parenting style is associated with the healthiest identity development in children, creating a balanced environment of rules and nurturance that leads to children with high self-esteem and good social skills(option c).
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally speaking, the parenting style that is associated with the healthiest identity development in children is c. Authoritative.
This style involves parents giving reasonable demands and consistent limits, expressing warmth and affection, and listening to the child's point of view. The authoritative parenting style means parents set rules and explain the reasons behind them, maintaining a balance between firmness and nurturance. Children raised by authoritative parents typically have high self-esteem and good social skills, which reflects the effectiveness of this approach to parenting.
In contrast, the authoritarian style is strict with little warmth shown to the children, which can lead to children who are anxious and withdrawn. Permissive parenting leaves too much control in the hands of children, often resulting in a lack of self-discipline and other risky behaviors. Finally, the neglectful or uninvolved parenting style, where parents are indifferent or unresponsive to their children's needs, tends to result in children who are emotionally withdrawn and at higher risk of issues such as substance abuse.