Parenting and Culture

Parenting

Can Parents Be Both Individualist and Collectivist?

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on January 15, 2022

Cultures and families evolve over time in response to social transformations. Today's parents in widely differing cultural contexts are both individualistic and collectivistic.

Cultures and families evolve over time in response to social transformations. Today's parents in widely differing cultural contexts are both individualistic and collectivistic.

Parenting

The Effects of 4 Forms of Parenting

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on December 15, 2021

Children can benefit from some forms of parenting regardless of cultural context, but parents and children also interpret their interactions in reference to cultural norms.

Children can benefit from some forms of parenting regardless of cultural context, but parents and children also interpret their interactions in reference to cultural norms.

Child Development

Parents' Behavioral Control vs. Psychological Control

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on November 15, 2021

Why are parents' behavioral and psychological control important for children's and adolescents' development? Do they differ across cultural contexts?

Why are parents' behavioral and psychological control important for children's and adolescents' development? Do they differ across cultural contexts?

Health

Abused Children Are Twice As Likely to Have Negative Adult Outcomes

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on October 15, 2021

Negative education, economic, physical and mental health, and criminal outcomes are more than twice as likely in adulthood for children abused in the first five years of life.

Negative education, economic, physical and mental health, and criminal outcomes are more than twice as likely in adulthood for children abused in the first five years of life.

Persuasion

How Friends Influence Teens' Long-Term Drug and Alcohol Use

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on September 15, 2021

Drug overdose deaths increased by 30 percent during the pandemic. How does substance use develop over time from adolescence to adulthood?

Drug overdose deaths increased by 30 percent during the pandemic. How does substance use develop over time from adolescence to adulthood?

Child Development

Increases in Adjustment Problems During the COVID Pandemic

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on August 15, 2021

Environmental adversities during childhood and life strategies during adolescence set the stage for how young people responded to the COVID pandemic.

Environmental adversities during childhood and life strategies during adolescence set the stage for how young people responded to the COVID pandemic.

Relationships

How Parents Influence Children’s Peer Relationships

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on July 15, 2021

With the return of ordinary activities, many children are excited about being able to spend more time with peers but also a bit out of practice. What can parents do to help?

With the return of ordinary activities, many children are excited about being able to spend more time with peers but also a bit out of practice. What can parents do to help?

Child Development

The Importance of Fathers for Child Development

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on June 15, 2021

Fathers are not just helpers for mothers but are important to children in their own right. Fathers contribute to children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.

Fathers are not just helpers for mothers but are important to children in their own right. Fathers contribute to children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being.

Parenting

Changes in Parenting as Children Develop

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on May 16, 2021

As children develop, parents develop, too. Here are a few ways that parenting changes over time.

As children develop, parents develop, too. Here are a few ways that parenting changes over time.

Relationships

Sharing, Helping, and Other Acts of Kindness

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on April 15, 2021

Parents often focus on preventing children’s problem behaviors, but how can parents promote children's desirable behaviors?

Parents often focus on preventing children’s problem behaviors, but how can parents promote children's desirable behaviors?

Relationships

The Parent-Child Relationship a Year into the Pandemic

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on March 15, 2021

A year into the COVID pandemic, parent-child relationships have changed in both positive and negative ways. What do these changes mean for parent-child relationships going forward?

A year into the COVID pandemic, parent-child relationships have changed in both positive and negative ways. What do these changes mean for parent-child relationships going forward?

Intelligence

Making Children Feel Loved and Accepted

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on February 14, 2021

Making children feel loved is one of parents' most important responsibilities. Here are seven suggestions for showing love.

Making children feel loved is one of parents' most important responsibilities. Here are seven suggestions for showing love.

Motivation

Setting SMART Goals in the New Year

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on January 15, 2021

Parents and children can set SMART goals for the new year by making them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

Parents and children can set SMART goals for the new year by making them specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

Stress

Starting or Maintaining Family Traditions in Times of COVID

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on December 15, 2020

When many holiday traditions aren't possible due to COVID, how can families start new traditions or maintain old ones to promote family fun and lasting memories?

When many holiday traditions aren't possible due to COVID, how can families start new traditions or maintain old ones to promote family fun and lasting memories?

Gratitude

5 Ways to Promote Children’s Thankfulness and Gratitude

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on November 15, 2020

Being thankful and showing gratitude can improve both physical and mental health. How can parents help children become more grateful?

Being thankful and showing gratitude can improve both physical and mental health. How can parents help children become more grateful?

Media

How to Talk to Children About the News

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on October 15, 2020

How should parents communicate with children about what’s happening in the world? Be honest, be reassuring, and be aware of how conversations about the news can affect children’s views.

How should parents communicate with children about what’s happening in the world? Be honest, be reassuring, and be aware of how conversations about the news can affect children’s views.

Career

5 Strategies for Balancing Work and Family During COVID

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on September 15, 2020

How to avoid being overwhelmed by competing responsibilities.

How to avoid being overwhelmed by competing responsibilities.

Education

Parents’ Involvement in Children’s Education

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on August 15, 2020

In-person classes? Online instruction? A hybrid approach? How parents can support their children’s education in the face of challenges brought on by COVID-19.

In-person classes? Online instruction? A hybrid approach? How parents can support their children’s education in the face of challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Stress

Overwhelmed by Stress?

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on July 15, 2020

Parents can help children manage negative emotions, demonstrate love and affection, and connect kids with community resources.

Parents can help children manage negative emotions, demonstrate love and affection, and connect kids with community resources.

Bias

Parenting to Combat Racism, Bias, and Discrimination

Jennifer E. Lansford, Ph.D. on June 15, 2020

How can parents talk with their children about the latest high-profile incidents involving racial injustice and parent in ways that combat racism, bias, and discrimination?

How can parents talk with their children about the latest high-profile incidents involving racial injustice and parent in ways that combat racism, bias, and discrimination?