Differences in mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles

Abstract

Aim: To examine parental experiences and investigate dif-ferences between mothers’ and fathers’ parenting practices. Methods: We used a qualitative methodology in this study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with both moth-ers and fathers from fifteen families between April and May 2021 in the Makarska Riviera region in southern Croatia. All interviews were conducted face-to-face, mostly in cafés and participants’ homes; they lasted 15 minutes on average. Results: Most fathers were stricter and had more authority over their children, while mothers were more permissive. Although both parents were involved in raising their chil-dren, the mothers had a slightly higher level of participa-tion. The parents used their free time to interact with their children. They set boundaries and expected their children to respect them, but also provided affection, warmth, and security. They addressed all parenting dilemmas by mutual agreement. Compared to their own parents, they used a soft-er approach with their children and preferred the authori-tative parenting style. Conclusions: It appears that parental practices have changed over time – the older, rigid, authoritarian parenting style has been supplanted by authoritative parenting. Nowadays, fathers are becoming increasingly involved in the family sphere and child-rearing, indicating a shift toward modern, equal parenting.