Transition to Parenthood Parenting Occurs within Social and Cultural ContextsEmphasis on parentingIdentity Tasks1. Altering family themesAdult-focused to child-focused perspective shift; often based on family of origin, society, culture.2. Defining a parental role identityStatus in society; women who are childless are often marginalized.3. Shaping and molding of child’s identityTransformation of Boundaries1. Renegotiating distances with family and friends2. Realigning marital boundariesConflict is inevitable, lower sex life, less social time.3. Balancing boundary between work and familyTime management; technologyManaging Household1. Renegotiating housekeeping strategies (inclusion of new ones as well)Chores increase, resentment may escalate, men and women adopt gender roles.1. Maintaining quality of marital relationshipCommunication and intimacy, shared time, internal boundaries.2. Maintaining a satisfying sexual relationshipWomen decrease and men often become resentful.3. Managing leisure activitiesNegotiation of interests.4. Managing existing and new areas of conflictWomen's Stress: breastfeeding, body image, post-partum depression.WHAT IS A “GOOD” PARENT?Balance between parental warmth/nurturance and discipline/control.Control Strategies of Parenting Style 1. Authoritarian –Value obedience to authority; expect unquestioning compliance; curb children's self-will.Respect hierarchy; hostile, aggressive punishment.2. Permissive-NeglectfulNo child rearing responsibility; uninvolved parents; lenient, avoid confrontations; children have personal freedom, chaos, few restrictions, limited guidance.4. AuthoritativeSet reasonable limits and expectations.Provide structure and reasoning.Warm, flexible, empathetic, responsive, attentive, consistent.Individuation-enhancing.Positive reinforcement, not punishment.Leads to honesty, altruism, cooperation, trust, academic achievement, high self-esteem.5. No-NonsenseFalls between authoritarian and authoritative.Higher on control than authoritative and involves more warmth than authoritarian.Represents a functional adaptation to contexts that are more dangerous.Parent is vigilant and caring.6. Wavering/NegotiatingParents who do not guide their children or enforce demands.Consult with their children about each step.Parents will change their suggestions if children object.Such parents never punish but are very loving and involved (same as Permiss-Indul. style) Determinants of Parenting Style 1. Parent’s personal psychological resourcesFamily history, differentiation, abilities, personality, psychological health.Good Parenting Involves:Adequate economic resourcesActive involvement in a child’s life and school activitiesSupportive communicationTRANSITION TO PARENTHOOD  Parenting Occurs within Social and Cultural Contexts- Emphasis on parentingo When are you going to start a family?Two Implications: 1. To be considered a family you must have children.2. It is normative to have children.o Choosing to have children is not an easy decision.o Emerging three options:1. Remain childless2. Postpone parenthood3. One-child families  Motivations for Parenting- Altruistic - selfless, concern for the motivation of others.- Narcissistic – selfish, psychological condition, preoccupation with self, unconscious.- Fatalistic – destined, events are predetermined, purpose of childbirth.- Instrumental – children used as means to an end – family lineage, business, legacy.  4 Influential Factors for Transition into Parenthood1. Desire to be a parent2. Anticipate socialization or training3. Clarity of role demands4. Support available while making this transition Identity Tasks1. Altering family themes- Adult-focused to child-focused perspective shift; often based on family of origin, society, culture.2. Defining a parental role identity- Status in society; women who are childless are often marginalized.3. Shaping and molding of child’s identity- Parents bring their own idealized image of what children should be; must be flexible. Transformation of Boundaries1. Renegotiating distances with family and friends2. Realigning marital boundaries- Conflict is inevitable, lower sex life, less social time.3. Balancing boundary between work and family- Time management; technology Managing Household1. Renegotiating housekeeping strategies (inclusion of new ones as well)- Chores increase, resentment may escalate, men and women adopt gender roles.2. Managing finances- Direct and indirect costs (education, groceries). Managing Family’s Emotional Climate1. Maintaining quality of marital relationship- Communication and intimacy, shared time, internal boundaries.2. Maintaining a satisfying sexual relationship- Women decrease and men often become resentful.3. Managing leisure activities- Negotiation of interests.4. Managing existing and new areas of conflict- Women's Stress: breastfeeding, body image, post-partum depression. WHAT IS A “GOOD” PARENT?- Balance between parental warmth/nurturance and discipline/control.Control Strategies of Parenting Style 1. Authoritarian – - Value obedience to authority; expect unquestioning compliance; curb children's self-will.- Respect hierarchy; hostile, aggressive punishment.2. Permissive-Neglectful- No child rearing responsibility; uninvolved parents; lenient, avoid confrontations; children have personal freedom, chaos, few restrictions, limited guidance.3. Permissive-Indulgent4. Authoritative- Set reasonable limits and expectations.- Provide structure and reasoning.- Warm, flexible, empathetic, responsive, attentive, consistent.- Individuation-enhancing.- Positive reinforcement, not punishment.- Leads to honesty, altruism, cooperation, trust, academic achievement, high self-esteem.5. No-Nonsense - Falls between authoritarian and authoritative.- Higher on control than authoritative and involves more warmth than authoritarian.- Represents a functional adaptation to contexts that are more dangerous.- Parent is vigilant and caring.6. Wavering/Negotiating - Parents who do not guide their children or enforce demands.- Consult with their children about each step.- Parents will change their suggestions if children object.- Such parents never punish but are very loving and involved (same as Permiss-Indul. style)  Determinants of Parenting Style 1. Parent’s personal psychological resourceso Family history, differentiation, abilities, personality, psychological health.2. Unique characteristics of