What is Atticus's approach to parenting in To Kill a Mockingbird, and can it be criticized?

's
parenting style seems to be best explained during his Christmas talk with his brother
Jack.

"I just hope thatandcome to me for their
answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough... 
()

Atticus gives his children more
independence than most parents, and Jem and Scout seem to understand that their relationship is
something special, as evidenced by the children calling their father by his first name. Atticus
has never resorted to spanking his children, and Jem knows that the threat is enough to keep
him honest.

"Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I
can remember. I wanta keep it that way."  ()

Although Atticus does set neighborhood boundaries for Jem and
Scout and puts his foot down when he has to (such as when he puts an end to thegame, and when he
demands that Jem read to Mrs. Dubose as punishment), he hates to force his children to do things
without an explanation. When Scout decides she wants to quit school, Atticus reasons with her
instead, offering her a compromise.

"If you'll
concede the necessity of going to school, we'll go on reading every night just as we always
have. Is it a bargain?"
     "Yes sir!" 
()

Atticus's advice is memorable to
both the reader and to his children. Scout never forgets about how important it is to
"climb into his skin and walk around in it" before judging others, and she comes to
understand the meaning and symbolism found in his warning that "it's a sin to kill a
mockingbird."

While it is true that many people--particularly Aunt
Alexandra and Miss Stephanie--believe that Atticus allows his children too much freedom and that
they are in need of a mother's touch, Atticus always makes time for Jem and Scout, reading to
Scout each night and always making himself available to answer their questions. We know that
Atticus's parenting skills served their purpose and that Jem and Scout both turned out okay.
Scout reveals on the first page of the novel that, even as adults, it was the much older, wiser,
and always diplomatic Atticus that they still turned to.

We were far too old to settle an argument with a fist-fight, so we consulted Atticus.
Our father said we were both right.  ()