Contemporary parenting norms and coparenting coordination: Exploring narratives of parents of adolescents

Abstract

Objective: This study examined how parents of adolescents make sense of their parenting in light of contemporary norms and the meanings they attribute to their coparental coordination. Background: Contemporary parenting expectations emphasize meeting both the emotional and physical needs of children, and they are often guided by expert advice and media-driven recommendations. During adolescence, these norms may also conflict with the developmental need for autonomy, creating potential tensions in the parent–child relationship and in the coordination between coparents. Moreover, they may impact mothers and fathers differently due to prevailing gender roles, affecting how they coordinate and share responsibilities within the coparental relationship. Method: Twelve individual interviews of parents of adolescents (six couples) were conducted and analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis within a socioconstructivist framework. Results: Three main themes were produced: “endorsement of societal expectations about parental roles,” “the evolving parent–adolescent bonding,” and “gendered teamwork?” Whereas the first and second themes concern how parents make sense of their contemporary parenthood, the third has more to do with coordination within the couple. Conclusion: Parents adopt intensive parenting norms while striving to respect adolescents' autonomy. Coordination within the coparental relationship tends to reflect complementary rather than equal roles, which can pose challenges, particularly for mothers. Despite these dynamics, both parents aspire to work as a cohesive team. Implications. This study sheds light on how macro-level factors, including prescriptive parenting and gender norms, shape coparenting practices during adolescence. It also offers insights for clinicians to better consider the distinct needs and expectations of each gender within the coparental relationship.