Parenting types

Parenting typesOnce children become mobile, parents need to direct their children's behaviour.Introduction into rules and sanctions.Do all parents do this in the same way?No.Baumrind: 2 dimensions of parenting

Parenting types1. Nurturance2 dimensions of parentingParenting types1. NurturanceParents high (low) in Nurturance are warm (cold) and emotionally attuned (unattuned) to their children2 dimensions of parentingParenting types1. NurturanceParents high (low) in Nurturance are warm (cold) and emotionally attuned (unattuned) to their children2. Control2 dimensions of parentingParenting types1. NurturanceParents high (low) in Nurturance are warm (cold) and emotionally attuned (unattuned) to their children2. ControlDoes the parent demand compliance? How?Reasoned compliance vs power assertion2 dimensions of parentingParenting types1. NurturanceParents high (low) in Nurturance are warm (cold) and emotionally attuned (unattuned) to their children2. ControlDoes the parent demand compliance? How?Reasoned compliance vs power assertion2 dimensions of parenting4 Parenting TypesBaumrinds 4 Parenting TypesControlNurturanceHighLowHighLowBaumrinds 4 Parenting TypesControlNurturanceHighLowAuthoritative

Demanding but responsive.Reasoned compliance.Consider child's perspective.Clear demands.

HighLowBaumrinds 4 Parenting TypesControlNurturanceHighLowAuthoritative

Demanding but responsiveReasoned complianceConsider child's perspectiveClear demands

HighLowAuthoritarian

Demanding but unresponsiveForced compliance.Consider own perspective.Clear demands.

Baumrinds 4 Parenting TypesControlNurturanceHighLowAuthoritative

Demanding but responsiveReasoned complianceConsider child's perspectiveClear demands

HighLowAuthoritarian

Demanding but unresponsiveForced compliance.Consider own perspective.Clear demands.

Permissive

Responsive but undemandingConsider child's perspectiveFew demands/ Feel powerlessLow self-esteem

Baumrinds 4 Parenting TypesControlNurturanceHighLowAuthoritative

Demanding but responsiveReasoned complianceConsider child's perspectiveClear demands

HighLowAuthoritarian

Demanding but unresponsiveForced compliance.Consider own perspective.Clear demands.

Permissive

Responsive but undemandingConsider child's perspectiveFew demands/ Feel powerlessLow self-esteem

Uninvolved

Unresponsive & undemandingNeglectful

Are parenting types associated with certain child outcomes?YesChildren of authoritative parentsUnderstand and accept social rules(1) sociable(2) self-regulating(3) positive affect(4) strong self-conceptChildren of authoritarian parentsSocial rules understood but not internalized.(1) situational compliance(2) poor emotional functioning: withdrawn(3) poor social functioning: lack of spontaneityChildren of permissive parents(1) poor impulse control(2) poor compliance(3) low achievement motivation

Children of uninvolved parentsWidespread developmental delayParenting TypesSummary: According to Baumrind, 4 distinct classes of parenting styles.Each associated with different child outcomesParenting TypesSummary: According to Baumrind, 4 distinct classes of parenting styles.Each associated with different child outcomesCriticism: Can things be so simple? Do parents differ categorically?Parental CognitionsParental behaviour shaped by thoughtsExample: Child acts up at dinner.Attributions? Is the child trying to be bad?Need to make observationsGoals? Resolve dispute quickly? Power assertionTeach child values? ReasoningParental CognitionsAdvantage over typologies?Continuous vs categorical variables.Greater range of variation between parentsGreater contextual sensitivity Allows for within-parent variabilityMore powerful statistical proceduresPunishmentCommon response to child misconductAdministration of an aversive stimulus or removal of a positive stimulusOften includes hitting/spanking Straus & Gelles (1986) found 90% of parents of 3- and 4-year-old children reported using corporal punishment in the last yearWhat is the effect of punishment?PunishmentCan help to reduce unwanted behaviours in the short runEffectiveness depends on:Timing (must follow soon after transgression)Rationale?However, corporal punishment can have lasting negative emotional and behavioural consequences.PunishmentCorporal punishment: lasting negative long-term consequencesOlweus: higher aggression esp for boysModeling aggressionIn the absence of positive attention, can actually reinforce negative behavioursChildren withdraw parent has less opportunity to socialize children in other waysFathersTraditionally, play a secondary role in infant care and child-rearing.New & Benigni, 1987 investigated parenting in rural ItalyFathers not present @ birthNo physical caregivingInfant-directed behaviours from a distanceLess involved as child grew olderWhy?FathersTraditionally, play a secondary role in infant care and child-rearing.New & Benigni, 1987 investigated parenting in rural ItalyFathers not present @ birthNo physical caregivingInfant-directed behaviours from a distanceLess involved as child grew olderWhy? Traditional beliefsOnly women capable of emotional careFathers provide financial supportOnly women have the skillsFathersDo traditional roles have any biological foundation?Frodi et al., 1978 Compared mothers and fathers physiological reaction to quiet, smiling, or crying infantsSimilar changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and skin conductanceFathersDo traditional roles have any behavioural foundation?Parke & OLeary Compared mothers and fathers behaviours toward their newbornFathers just as likely to hold, touch, and vocalize to their infantsFathersTraditional family roles not set in stoneIn fact, fathers in some countries increasingly involved in parentingProgressive social policy (e.g.,Sweden)Fathers entitled to 2 years paternity leaveReduced workday until child 8-years-old Changing social roles (e.g., USA)Fathers assume primary care-giving role in 20% of double-income families FathersStill, change is slow; fathers still spend only 33% of the time that mothers spend with childrenWhy?Little experience, lack of confidence in skillsMothers Only 23% of employed mothers say they want more childcare help from fathers; traditional roles hard to relinquishFathersDo mothers and fathers provide different kinds of child-care?Yogman et al., 1977 Compared how mothers and fathers interact face-to-face with their infantsFathers: interact in abrupt burstsMothers: rhythmic and soothingFathersDo mothers and fathers provide different kinds of child-care?FathersDo mothers and fathers provide different kinds of child-care?Lamb, 1997 Compared mothers and fathers playFathers engage in more physical and unpredictable play (e.g., throwing, tickling, etc)Mothers engage in calmer more co-operative playFathersDo mothers and fathers provide different kinds of child-care?Lamb, 1997 Compared mothers and fathers playFathers engage in more physical and unpredictable play (e.g., throwing, tickling, etc)Mothers engage in calmer more co-operative playConsequence

Infants seek out fathers for play; mothers for comfortFathersRole of father underscored by the effect of the absentee fatherBiller, 1974 Father absence has a large effect, esp for boys (gender role, aggression, academic achievement)Why?FathersFather provides identity figureLoss of financial and emotional support for entire family & boys more vulnerable to stressToday, fathers thought to make a general contribution to broad family dynamicsSummaryParents an important socializing force in developmentConsiderable variability in parenting stylesSome of this variability may derive from parents own childhood experiencesMothers and fathers play complimentary parenting roles