We are pleased to present our latest research exploring the associations between the pressure to be a perfect parent and parenting among mothers and fathers of teenagers. The study, published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies, examines the pressure parents feel to meet the standards of “perfect parenting” and its impact on their involvement with their children.

Key takeaways:
– The burden of being a mother: Mothers report greater societal pressure to be “perfect” parents than fathers.
– Impact on parenting styles: Mothers and fathers who feel greater pressure tend to overprotect their children, although the effects on overvaluation are unique to fathers.
– Parental investment in adolescence: Striking a balance between nurturing and letting go is particularly difficult in adolescence, a period when teenagers crave freedom.

This article is the fruit of close collaboration between the University of Lausanne and the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and is part of Gaëlle Venard‘s doctoral thesis. Feel free to read or download the full article!