CFS138 s.4 (Exam 3)

Parenting & Families

Family Systems

• Families are interconnected emotional units where each member’s behavior affects every other member

• Change in one person causes change in the whole system

Responsiveness

• Degree of warmth, support, & sensitivity a parent shows to a child

Demandingness

• Degree of structure, control, rules, & expectations a parent sets

Authoritative Parenting

• High responsiveness + high demandingness

  • Linked to best outcomes

Authoritarian Parenting

• Low responsiveness + high demandingness

  • Strict, punitive, obedience-focused

Permissive Parenting

• High responsiveness + low demandingness

  • Warm but few rules or limits

Neglecting/Uninvolved Parenting

• Low responsiveness + low demandingness

  • Disengaged, emotionally absent

Authoritative Outcomes

• High academic achievement

• Good self-regulation

• High social competence

• Low delinquency

Authoritarian Outcomes

• Lower academic performance

• Lower self-esteem

• Higher anxiety

Permissive Outcomes

• Poor self-control

• Impulsivity

• Lower school achievement

Neglecting Outcomes

• Highest risk for delinquency

• Substance use

• Academic failure

Responsiveness & Academics

• Responsiveness is the strongest predictor of academic success (Baumrind)

Demandingness & Delinquency

• Low demandingness predicts higher delinquency & behavior problems

Authoritarian vs Permissive (School)

• Authoritarian → lower motivation

• Permissive → poor self-discipline

Authoritarian vs Permissive (Delinquency)

• Permissive parenting linked to higher delinquency than authoritarian

Baumrind’s Limitations

• Causality: Correlational design cannot prove parenting causes child outcomes

• Generalizability: Original samples were mostly white, middle-class families

• Cultural Context: Authoritarian parenting may have positive outcomes in some cultures

Cultural Variations in Parenting

• Different cultures emphasize obedience, independence, or interdependence

Collectivist Parenting

• Emphasizes family obligation, respect for elders, group harmony

Individualist Parenting

• Emphasizes independence, self-expression, & personal achievement

Fathers’ Roles

• Playmates

• Disciplinarians

• Emotional supports depending on culture

Grandparents’ Roles

• Caregiving

• Cultural transmission

• Economic support

Sibling Roles

• Teachers of:

  • Social skills

  • Competition

  • Conflict resolution

Older Parents – Advantages

• More financial stability

• Patience

• Emotional maturity

Older Parents – Disadvantages

• Less physical energy

• Possible health risks

Family Diversity

• Includes:

  • Single-parent families

  • Blended families

  • Multigenerational families

  • Same-sex parent families