Parenting style: an Inter-Generational Study

The present study aimed at exploring how parenting styles have changed across generations in the Indian context. This study was carried out by mixed method (using both quantitative and qualitative measures). For quantitative analysis, the sample comprised of 100 family units residing in Guawhati, Assam which consists of two generation of mothers of the age group 50 years and above and, the second generation of mothers was of 30 years and above. For qualitative analysis, 5 family units were taken, viz 5 mothers of first generation and 5 mothers of second generation were participated. For quantitative analysis, Parental Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991) was used for measuring Baumrind’s (1971) authoritarian, authoritative and permissive style of parenting. For qualitative analysis, IPA (Interpretative phenomenological approach) was used. Results showed that parenting style passes from generation to generation to some extent. Both generations of parents used authoritative parenting styles more than the other two styles. Four major themes have emerged in the qualitative analysis. Qualitative results showed that parents of new generations have given more freedom to their children; however, reasoning is used more by the older generation. Punishment of any kind is more prevalent among older generation parents than the new generation of parents.