Essay on Mom and Dad | Why Mom and Dad are Best | Short and Long Essays
Essay on mom and dad in english- 150 words.
My Mom and Dad are my best friends . They are always there for us, no matter what the situation is. They have been through everything with us, and they have always been there to help us out. In return, we owe them our utmost respect and gratitude. There are many things that we can learn from our parents. For example, they know how to balance work and family life. They also know how to set boundaries and teach us how to handle tough situations. They also know how to be patient with us, which is something that we may not always learn on our own. Our parents are also great role models. They show us how to be strong-willed but also compassionate. They also show us how to be respectful of others, no matter who they are or what they stand for. Above all else, our parents teach us how to be responsible adults.
Why Do I Love My Mom and Dad 10 Lines
Growing up, I always felt close to my mom and dad. There was something special about the bond we shared 1. My parents have always been there for me when I needed them, no matter what. 2. My parents are the best guides for me. 3. They are always supportive, no matter what decisions I make 4. They have never put pressure on me to do anything I don’t want to do 5. They are truly amazing people and I cherish our relationship more than anything. 6. They have always been a huge support system for me and I am grateful for them 7. They always put family first and that is something I admire about them 8. They always want to keep me happy. Sometimes they scold me and I understand that it is only for my good. 9. They are always supportive of my decisions and love me no matter what 10. I owe them everything, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them
I Love My Mom and Dad Essay- 200 Words
I love my mom and dad. They have always been there for me, and I know that I can always count on them. They always support me and help me to succeed. I know that without them, I would not be able to achieve anything good in my life. My mom is the most compassionate person I know. She has a heart of gold, and she is always willing to help others. She is also a very strong woman, and she has never let anything stand in her way. My dad is also a great guy. He is always supportive of me, and he never hesitates to offer his help when needed. My mom and dad both have taught me so much about life. They have shown me what it means to be responsible, diligent, and persevering. They always keep on teaching me how to value family and friends. I know that without them, I would not reach any good position in my life. I thank them every day for everything they have done for me, and I hope that they will continue to support me in everything that I do in future. My have always been there for me, whether I needed help with my homework or just a shoulder to cry on. They have taught me so much about life and what it means to be a good person. I am truly blessed to have them as my parents.
Respect of Parents Essay in English- 300 Words
In today’s society, it seems that there is a lack of respect for parents. With more and more children living away from home and having less contact with their parents, it seems that this lack of respect has become commonplace. It is difficult to point to one specific reason for this lack of respect, but there are a few factors that likely contribute. First, many children today do not have close relationships with their fathers. This may be due to various reasons, such as the father’s work schedule or his own personal life. In any case, the absence of a strong father-son relationship can have a negative impact on the son’s respect for parents. Second, many children today do not have regular discussions about matters related to parenting. As children grow older, they tend to rely more and more on information coming from television or the Internet. This type of one-sided communication can leave children without the skills necessary to properly care for a family member, such as a parent. Last, many children today view their parents simply as sources of financial support. This attitude can be deeply rooted in some cases and may not change until the child becomes an adult and begins to see his or her parents in a different light. Until then, the child may treat his or her parents with little respect, believing that they are simply tools to be used for obtaining financial gain. In conclusion, Respect is important because it is one of the core values that our parents instil in us. It is also important because it is a two-way street; we cannot expect to receive respect if we do not give it in return. Lastly, having respect for others leads to a more harmonious society and can even prevent conflict. The next time you find yourself getting annoyed with someone, take a step back and try to see things from their perspective – you may just find that a little bit of respect goes a long way.
Essay on Mom and Dad 400 + Words
No matter what stage of life you are in, one of your parents always plays a pivotal role in your life. For some, their mom and dad are constants in their lives. For others, they may only see them during specific periods of time. Regardless of the circumstances, all parents bring something unique and special to the table.
The Role of Mother in a Child’s Life
The role of mothers is one that is seldom taken for granted. Mothers provide unconditional love and care for their children, and without them, many children would never experience the happiness and security that comes with a family. Mothers are also responsible for teaching their children about morals and values, setting an example for them both in private and public life, and helping to create a sense of identity. In some cases, mothers may also have to take on roles outside the home such as working or caring for elderly relatives. However no matter what mother’s role may be, they all have one common goal – to provide the best possible upbringing for their children.
The Role of Father in a Child’s Life
Fathers have a profound and important role in the lives of their children. They are the primary providers of financial security and emotional support, and they play an essential role in their children’s upbringing. Fathers also exert a strong influence on their children’s educational and career choices. Fathers provide structure and guidance to their children during critical early years, helping to ensure that they develop into successful adults. Fathers play an important role in setting examples for their children, teaching them about values and morals. Fathers can provide crucial support during times of adversity, such as when a child is experiencing a difficult family situation or when he or she is dealing with a health crisis. Dedicated fathers often feel a greater sense of connection to their children than do mothers. Fathers are key figures in their child’s development, and they should be given the opportunity to participate fully in his or her life. All too often, fathers are left out of the equation due to cultural stereotypes about what constitutes appropriate fatherhood. It is time for society to re-evaluate its view of fathers, and recognize them for the valuable role that they play in the lives of their children
What it Means to Be a Good Parent
Being a good parent means creating an atmosphere where your children can flourish and feel loved. It’s important to be there for them when they need you, setting an example of how to behave yourself, and modelling positive values. It’s also crucial to set limits and provide structure, teaching your child how to manage their time and behaviour. Finally, it’s essential to communicate with your child regularly, showing them that you care about them.
As a child, we are taught to look up to our parents as examples of what it means to be a responsible and successful individual. Our parents set the tone for how we view ourselves, and their values often become our own. However, no two parents are alike. What may work perfectly for one child may not be ideal for another. In this essay, I have discussed the role that my mother and father have played in my life and why they are so important to me. Though very childishly I have had disagreements with them from time to time, but I owe them a tremendous amount for all they have done for me over the years.
People Also Ask :
How can I write about my mother and father? Ans : My mother is a great cook and my father is always very supportive. They give me a lot of love and support. My mother also loves spending time with me and my sister. We would all go on long walks and spend time together. We are all close, even though we live in different parts of the country these days.
Why are mother and father important? Ans : Mothers and fathers are important because they provide a unique environment for their children during early development. They play an important role in the child’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Who are parents in simple words? Ans : Parents are the people who bring up their children and provide them with the necessary care and guidance. They spend a lot of time with their children and try to teach them the right things so that they can grow into responsible adults.
Related Posts
Essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest
Students are often asked to write an essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
Let’s take a look…
100 Words Essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest
My mom: a pillar of love and support.
My mom is the most loving and supportive person in my life. She is always there for me, no matter what. She listens to my problems, gives me advice, and always makes me feel better. She is also the best cook in the world! Her meals are always delicious, and she always makes sure that I have plenty to eat. I am so grateful to have her as my mom.
My Dad: A Role Model and Hero
My dad is my role model and hero. He is a hard worker who always puts his family first. He is also a kind and compassionate person who is always willing to help others. I admire him for his strength, courage, and intelligence. He is the best dad in the world, and I am so proud to have him as my father.
Together, They Are the Best
My mom and dad are the best parents anyone could ask for. They are loving, supportive, and always there for me. They are also role models and heroes who I admire and respect. I am so grateful to have them in my life, and I know that I am lucky to have them as my parents.
250 Words Essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest
My mom: the heart of our home.
My mom is the heart of our home. She’s always there for us, no matter what. She’s the one who makes us feel loved and safe. She’s the one who listens to our problems and always knows how to make us feel better. She’s the one who takes care of us when we’re sick, and the one who celebrates our successes with us. She’s the glue that holds our family together.
My Dad: The Strong Pillar of Our Family
My dad is the strong pillar of our family. He’s the one who provides for us and protects us. He’s the one who teaches us right from wrong and shows us how to be good people. He’s the one who encourages us to follow our dreams and never give up. He’s the one who makes us feel safe and secure. He’s the rock that our family is built on.
Together, They Are the Greatest
My mom and dad are the greatest because they love us unconditionally. They always put us first, even when it means sacrificing their own needs. They’re always there for us, no matter what we do or say. They’re our biggest fans and our strongest supporters. They’re the best parents anyone could ask for.
I’m so grateful to have my mom and dad in my life. They’re the best parents anyone could ask for. I love them more than words can say.
500 Words Essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest
My mom: a source of unconditional love.
My mom is the most loving person I know. She has always been there for me, no matter what. When I was younger, she would always kiss my boo-boos and make them better. Now that I’m older, she’s still there for me to talk to about anything, no matter how big or small. She always knows how to make me feel better and I know that I can always count on her.
My Dad: A Strong and Supportive Role Model
My dad is a strong, supportive and hard-working man. He has shown me what it means to be a good husband and father. He has always been there for me, both physically and emotionally. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to play baseball, and how to be a good person. He is always there to listen to me and give me advice. I know that I can always count on him, no matter what.
My Parents: A Team That Works Together
My mom and dad are a team that works together to make our family happy. They are always there for each other, through thick and thin. They are also always there for me and my siblings. They are the best parents I could ever ask for.
Why I Am Grateful for My Parents
I am so grateful for my parents. They have given me so much love, support, and guidance. They have helped me to become the person I am today, and I know that I would not be where I am without them. I am so lucky to have them in my life.
My mom and dad are the greatest because they are loving, supportive, and always there for me. They are a team that works together to make our family happy. I am so grateful for them and I know that I would not be where I am today without them.
That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.
If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:
- Essay on Why It’s Important To Learn About Other Cultures
- Essay on Why Is Reading Important For Students
- Essay on Why Is Education Important For Social Development
Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .
Happy studying!
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Student Essays
9 Essays on My Parents | Why I Love my Mom & Dad [ 2024 ]
Our parents are our heroes. We can never deny the role and value of parents in our life. The following essay discusses the importance, role, love, and sacrifices of parents for children.
Essay on Parents For Children & Students
The life without parents is a worst life ever. Parents are support and shade for us. The value of parents in our lives can never be ignored. They play a very great role in our lives. They protect us and give every sacrifice to make us happy and pleased. Parents are our true guardians. The are the real reasons of our success and happiness in this world.
I Love my Parents
I love my parents. They are standing beside me in my every walk of life. My hero is my mom. She wakes up early in the morning. She works for our family from dawn to dusk. She is the best house manager. She takes care of everything in our house.
As soon she wakes up, she starts thinking about ourselves. She runs to the kitchen. She prepares tasty breakfast for us. Her breakfast is always delicious. She takes great care in making the food of our choice. After making our tasty breakfast, my mother quickly fills up our lunch boxes with tasty food.
She always fills our lunch boxes with additional tasty food so that we can share that our friends. I really appreciate my parents and especially my mom.
The Role of Mother & Father in our Life
The love of mother is simply matchless. Soon after we come home after school is up, we always find our mother standing at the gate of our house. We feel very pleased and my mother hugs all of us.
Read Also: My Father Essays & Paragraphs For Students
She take great care of our health. She regularly consult with our family doctor so that we stay healthy and strong. in addition to housework, my mother also help us in our school homework. She is best at drawing. She drawing fancy pictures, portraits and cartoons. We all feel wonderful at her drawing skills.
My hero is my dad. The father is always considered as an unsung hero. But it is not the fact. In addition to mother, the value, role and responsibility of father is always prideful. We all greatly love our father. My father is an Engineer. Though he is always busy in his schedule yet he takes good care of all of us.
We all family members go to weekly dinner and sightseeing outside. In addition to that, during our summer vacation we all family members go to country side trip. We all enjoy a lot there. My father is always concerned for everything about us. Though he is busy in his job yet he always remembers everything about us.
The love of parents for their children is of great value . Had there been no support of parents we would not have been here. We would not have smiled, laughed and became successful. Therefore, we must appreciate our parents for so many reasons.
We must try to help our parents by fulfilling their desires of being successful. We must thank God for blessing us with the support, guide and protection of our parents. May our Parents live long happily and peacefully.
Essay on My Parents for Class 1:
My parents are the most important people in my life. They have always been there for me, supporting and guiding me through every step of my journey. I am very lucky to have them as my parents.
My mother is a homemaker and she takes care of our family with so much love and dedication. She wakes up early every day to prepare delicious meals for us and makes sure that our home is always clean and organized. She has taught me the value of hard work, discipline and kindness.
My father is a businessman and he works very hard to provide for our family. He has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and never give up on them. He has also instilled in me the importance of being responsible and independent.
Together, my parents have raised me to be a kind, compassionate and responsible person. They have always supported my education and extracurricular activities, and have taught me the importance of balancing both.
I am grateful for all the sacrifices they have made for me and I hope to make them proud in everything I do. My parents are my role models and I aspire to be like them one day. Their unconditional love and support is something I will always cherish. I am blessed to have them as my parents.
Essay on My Parents For Class 2:
My parents are the most important people in my life. They take care of me, love me unconditionally and support me in everything I do. I feel blessed to have such wonderful parents.
My mom is a kind and loving person. She works hard to provide for our family and always puts our needs before her own. She makes the best food and always makes sure that I am well-fed and healthy. She also helps me with my studies and teaches me important values like honesty, kindness, and compassion.
My dad is my hero. He is a strong and hardworking man who always puts his family first. He is my role model and has taught me to never give up on my dreams. He plays with me, takes me to the park and helps me with my homework. I love spending time with him.
I am lucky to have such loving parents who always support and encourage me. We share a special bond that cannot be described in words. They are always there for me when I need someone to talk to or when I need a shoulder to cry on.
My parents mean everything to me. They have given me the best childhood and have taught me important life lessons. I am grateful for their love, care, and guidance. I hope to make them proud in everything I do. I will always cherish the memories we create together as a family and will forever be grateful for having such amazing parents . So, I will always love and respect them with all my heart. They are my superheroes! They are the foundation of my happiness and success in life
Essay on My Parents For Class 3
My parents are the most amazing people in my life. They have given me the best gift of all time, which is my life. I am so grateful to them for bringing me into this world and making me who I am today.
My father is a hardworking man. He works tirelessly every day to provide for our family. He never complains and always puts his family first. I have learned the value of hard work and determination from him.
My mother is a kind, caring, and loving person. She takes care of us in every way possible. She makes sure that we are well-fed, clean, and happy at all times. She also teaches me important values like respect, honesty, and compassion.
Together, my parents make a great team. They support each other in every decision they make and always put their family first. They have taught me the importance of family and how to be there for your loved ones no matter what.
I am truly blessed to have such amazing parents who love me unconditionally and have always been there for me through thick and thin . I cannot imagine my life without them and I will always be grateful for everything they have done for me.
In conclusion, my parents are the best gift of my life. They are my role models, my teachers, and my biggest supporters. I am proud to call them my parents and I hope to make them proud in everything I do. So, we all should love and respect our parents as they are the ones who have given us this beautiful life. They deserve all the love and appreciation in the world. Let’s cherish them and make them feel special every day! So, let’s take a moment to thank our parents for everything they have done for us and continue to do so.
Essay on My Parents For Class 4:
My parents are the most important people in my life. They have shaped me into the person I am today and have always been there for me through thick and thin. In this essay, I will be talking about my parents and how they play a vital role in my life.
My Parents – My Pillars of Strength
My mother is a homemaker and my father is a businessman. They both have different personalities but complement each other perfectly. My mother is kind, gentle and always puts others before herself. My father is hardworking, ambitious and always strives to achieve his goals.
Lessons Learned from my Parents
From my parents, I have learned many important life lessons that have helped me become a better person. They have taught me the value of hard work, determination and perseverance. They have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and never give up no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Role Models for Life
Both my parents are my role models. They have shown me what it means to be selfless, loving and caring towards others. They have also instilled important values in me such as honesty, respect, and responsibility. Their unconditional love and support inspire me to be a better person every day.
Supporting Me in Every Step of My Journey
My parents have always been there for me no matter what. They have supported my decisions and stood by me through all the ups and downs of life. Their guidance and encouragement have helped me overcome challenges and achieve my goals.
My parents are my greatest blessings. They are the ones who have always believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. I am grateful for their love, sacrifices, and dedication towards our family. I hope to make them proud by becoming a successful and responsible individual just like them
Essay on My Parents For Class 6
My parents are the most important people in my life. They have always been there for me, supporting and guiding me through every step of my journey. I am truly grateful to have them as my role models.
My father is a hardworking man who has taught me the value of perseverance and dedication. He works tirelessly to provide us with all the comforts of life and never complains about his responsibilities. He is my strength and I know that I can always count on him for anything.
My mother is the epitome of love, care and sacrifice. She has always put our needs before her own and has taught me to be selfless. She has instilled in me the importance of education and has been my biggest cheerleader throughout my academic journey.
Together, my parents have taught me the true meaning of love, respect and family. They have always been there to celebrate my successes and lift me up in times of failures. They have made countless sacrifices to ensure that I receive the best opportunities in life.
Apart from being amazing parents, they are also wonderful individuals who inspire me every day. My father’s intelligence and my mother’s kindness are traits that I admire and hope to emulate.
I am truly blessed to have such loving, caring and supportive parents who have shaped me into the person I am today. They are my biggest blessings and I will always be grateful for their unconditional love and unwavering support. So, I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything they have done for me and continue to do. I hope to make them proud in all my future endeavors and be there for them just like they have been there for me. My parents are my greatest treasure and I am forever grateful to have them in my life.
Essay on Parents Role in our Life:
Parents are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life. They play a crucial role in shaping their children’s behaviors, attitudes and beliefs. From infancy to adulthood, parents guide and support their children to reach their full potential.
One of the primary responsibilities of parents is to provide love and care for their child. Children need a nurturing environment where they feel loved, safe and appreciated. This enables them to develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, which is essential for their emotional well-being.
Parents also have the responsibility to instill values and morals in their children. They act as role models for their kids and teach them important life lessons such as honesty, respect, kindness, empathy and responsibility. These values shape the character of children and help them become responsible, compassionate and ethical individuals.
Moreover, parents are the first ones to introduce their children to education. They encourage and support their kids in learning new things, whether at home or in school. Parents also play a crucial role in monitoring their child’s academic progress, providing necessary resources and helping them overcome any challenges they may face.
Aside from these roles, parents also serve as a source of emotional support for their children. They are there to listen, comfort and guide their kids through tough times. This support is vital in helping children develop resilience and coping skills.
In conclusion, parents play a significant role in the development of their children. From providing love and care to instilling values, encouraging education and offering emotional support, parents are the cornerstone of a child’s growth and well-being. We must recognize and appreciate the important role that parents play in our lives, and strive to support and learn from them as we navigate through life.
My Relationship with My Parents Essay:
Parents are the first and most important teachers in our lives. They are the ones who guide us, nurture us and support us through thick and thin. My parents have played a crucial role in shaping me into the person I am today.
Early Childhood
I still remember my early childhood days when my parents used to take care of all my needs without any complaints. They were always there to hold my hand and teach me the basic things in life such as walking, talking and eating. My parents were patient and loving, which helped me develop a strong bond with them.
My parents have always been involved in my education right from the start. They constantly motivated me to do well in school and encouraged me to pursue my interests. They were always there to help me with my homework, attend parent-teacher meetings and guide me in making important decisions about my academic future.
Apart from providing me with a solid education, my parents have also been my biggest support system. Whenever I faced any challenges or setbacks in life, they were the ones who stood by me and helped me get through it. Their unwavering love and support gave me the confidence to overcome any obstacle that came my way.
In conclusion, I am truly grateful for everything that my parents have done for me. They have been my pillars of strength and continue to be my biggest role models. I owe all my success and achievements to their constant love, guidance and support. I am lucky to have such amazing parents who have always been there for me, and I will always be grateful for their unwavering love and support. Overall, my relationship with my parents is the most precious and cherished bond in my life.
Respect of Parents Essay in English:
As children, we are taught to respect our parents. They are the ones who brought us into this world and have raised us with love and care. Our parents sacrifice their time, energy and resources to provide for us and ensure that we have a good life.
Respect towards our parents should come naturally as they are our first teachers. They instill values in us and guide us to become responsible and respectable individuals. It is important to show gratitude and appreciation towards our parents for all that they do for us.
We must always treat our parents with love, kindness and understanding, just as they have treated us throughout our lives. This will not only bring happiness and harmony in the family but also help us build strong relationships with our parents that will last a lifetime. So, let us never forget to respect and cherish our parents always.
Role of Parents in Bringing Up Child Essay:
The role of parents in bringing up a child is a crucial one. Parents are the first and most important teachers for their children, as they shape their child’s personality, values and beliefs. From the moment a child is born, parents are responsible for providing love, care and guidance to help them grow into responsible adults.
One of the primary responsibilities of parents is to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their child. This includes meeting their basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as providing emotional support and stability. Parents also play a significant role in instilling discipline and teaching good manners to their child.
Furthermore, parents are also responsible for fostering a positive relationship with their child. This involves spending quality time together, having open and honest communication, and being actively involved in their child’s life. By doing so, parents can help their child develop healthy self-esteem, confidence and a sense of belonging.
In addition to these responsibilities, parents also serve as role models for their children. Children often imitate the behavior and attitudes of their parents, which is why it is crucial for parents to lead by example and demonstrate positive values and behaviors.
In conclusion, the role of parents in bringing up a child cannot be overstated. They provide love, support, guidance, and serve as role models to help their child grow into a responsible and well-rounded individual. It is a challenging but incredibly rewarding role that requires patience, understanding, and unconditional love.
- How do I write an essay about my parents? To write an essay about your parents, focus on their roles in your life, their influence, and the impact they’ve had on your upbringing and personal development. Share personal anecdotes and express your feelings and gratitude.
- What is the importance of parents in our life essay? In an essay about the importance of parents in our life, discuss their role in nurturing, supporting, and guiding us. Emphasize how they contribute to our emotional and social development and provide a sense of security and love.
- What do you expect from your parents essay? In an essay about what you expect from your parents, you can discuss your hopes and needs regarding support, understanding, guidance, and the qualities you value in their parenting.
- How do I write an essay about my mother? When writing an essay about your mother, describe her characteristics, her role in your life, and her influence on your development. Share anecdotes and express your appreciation and love for her.
34 thoughts on “9 Essays on My Parents | Why I Love my Mom & Dad [ 2024 ]”
Very nice essay it’s written in a matured way about our parents and the role played by them in our lives . They are the real heroes in our life . What is written in the first line is true. I love this composition or essay very much.
Really nice essay
Yes this is a nice essay for me. About our parents and what they did for us. So all of u respect your parents including me…
It is very nice
Good…. Let our kids know the value of their parents…… . 😊😊😊
I really appreciate on your essay a very good n true lines on our parents how u have been type d essay sem even my parents r like
Parents are the candles ther lights us the way of success they are really fabulous for me
nobody on earth can ever love you more than your parent but i did not have parents
You should know that if you do not have a family that loves and protects you, know that God loves you and protects you always 🙂
After reading this esaay respect for my parents increases in my heart i always love them
Amazing essay……. Thanx for this contribution.. 😀😀😀😄😄😀😀😀
I got emotional when I was reading. Thank you.
It is really a good essay on
It’s so much nice superpb👍👍👍!!
It’s very good.
Thanks For Your Words!
Nice think ever thank you for creating
My Pleasure!
FAM nice essay.
we never know the love of parent till we become a parent ourselves
True that! Thanks for kind words
Without parents we are really nothing
Yes it true parents are our hero
The world will give way to those who have goals and visions
Sooo emotional essay
Very nice essay…..👌👌👌👌
very very nice
Wow, It realized me that how parents are importan
We should pray to God that he should give the strength to keep our parents in peace. We should always respect our parents because without parents live is useless.
Very good essay ✌✌✌✌✌
Leave a Comment Cancel reply
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
- Entertainment
- Environment
- Information Science and Technology
- Social Issues
Home Essay Samples Life Mother
My Role Model and My Heroes: Mother and Father
*minimum deadline
Cite this Essay
To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below
- Family History
Related Essays
Need writing help?
You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need
*No hidden charges
100% Unique Essays
Absolutely Confidential
Money Back Guarantee
By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails
You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic
Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.
- Writing Correction
- Online Prep Platform
- Online Course
- Speaking Assessment
- Ace The IELTS
- Target Band 7
- Practice Tests Downloads
- IELTS Success Formula
- Essays Band 9
- Essays Band 8
- Essays Band 7
- Essays Band 6
- Essays Band 5
- Reports Band 9
- Reports Band 8
- Reports Band 7
- Letters Band 9
- Letters Band 8
- Letters Band 7
- Speaking Samples
- Tests Samples
- 2023, 2024 IELTS questions
- 2022 IELTS questions
- 2021 IELTS questions
- 2020 IELTS questions
- High Scorer’s Advice
- IELTS Results Competition
- IELTS-Blog App
IELTS Essay, topic: the mother’s and father’s role in a family
- IELTS Essays - Band 5
- by Simone Braverman
Boys are most influenced by their fathers and girls are most influenced by their mothers. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons to support your opinion.
It is true that nowadays have a great influence children. Some people hold the opinion that the same sex is the major determination of influencing parent, but others . As far as I am concerned, . My arguments for this point are listed below.
First of all, a father is the person who have already passed ways his son is passing now, in other words, sons are following their father’s footsteps. , based on experience it is easy for a father to notice his sons’ drawbacks and to influence them.
Secondly, it is true that a boy is , a girl is a subtle and fragile one. It is hard for mothers to influence their sons, because it is not likely that can affect a strong one.
In conclusion, it seems to me unfair that boys are most influenced by their mothers. Based on at least two points above I strongly agree that children are influenced by a parent of the same gender.
This essay is too short, 190 words instead of the minimum requirement of 250. It doesn’t say anything about girls being influenced by their mothers, which is also a part of the task – therefore the task is only partially covered. The sentences are not complex enough, there are grammatical mistakes and inaccuracies (see comments underlined in blue). Overall, this looks like a Band 5.5 essay
Click here to see more IELTS essays of band 5
Related posts:
- IELTS essay, topic: Artificial Intelligence will take over the role of teachers (agree/disagree) This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
- IELTS essay, topic: Celebrities can be poor role models for teenagers (agree/disagree) This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test...
- IELTS Letter, topic: Introduction of an exchange student to a host family This is a model response to a Writing Task 1...
- IELTS essay, topic: Should school children be given homework (opinion)? This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...
1 thought on “IELTS Essay, topic: the mother’s and father’s role in a family”
Pingback: IELTS Essay Samples of Band 5 | IELTS-Blog
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and author of several popular IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005 her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target IELTS scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.
- Essay Samples
- College Essay
- Writing Tools
- Writing guide
↑ Return to College Essay
Narrative Essay: I Love My Parents
Parents are the closest people that we have in our lives, whether we realize it or not. They love us not because we are smart, beautiful, successful or we have a good sense of humour, but just because we are their children. I, too, love mom and dad simply because they are my parents, but I think I would have felt the same even if they weren’t. I love who they are as people, each with their own individual traits – and, together, forming an amazing super-team that’s made me who I am today and taught me what life is all about.
My mother is a cheerful, chatty perfectionist who seems to always find something to get excited about and who can talk for hours about animals and flowers. She is never afraid to speak her mind and she can be very convincing when she wants to. She sometimes get upset a bit too easily, but she is just as quick to forgive and forget. I love mom for all that she is – even when she’s angry – for all that she has done for me, and for all that she’s taught me. My mom has been through a lot throughout the years, but she always kept fighting.She taught me to never lose hope even in the direst of moments, and she showed me how to look for happiness in the small things. She’s been trying to teach me to be more organized as well, but hasn’t succeeded yet. I love her for that too.
My father is quiet, patient and calm, and he has an adorable hit-and-miss sense of humour. I may not always find his jokes that funny, but I love him for trying. Dad almost never gets angry and he is always polite, friendly and nice to everyone. He is not the one to verbalize emotions, but he always shows his feelings through sweet gestures and little surprizes. He is the pacifist in our family and never goes against mom’s wishes, but he runs a large company witha firm hand. I love my father for all these characteristics and for all he’s sacrificed to build a better life for us. He’s worked day and night to ensure we afford good education and have a rich, wonderful childhood, and he has passed up many great opportunities for the benefit of our family. I love dad because he’s taught me that you cannot have it all in life, but with hard work and dedication, you can have what matters most to you.
Mom and dad may be very different people, but they complement each other perfectly. Together, they formed a super-team that was always there – and, thankfully, still is – to provide comfort, nurturing, and support and help me grow as a person. Their complementary personalities bring balance in our family, and each of them steps in whenever they are needed the most. Together, they taught me to believe in myself and have turned me into a fighter. Their care and dedication towards me and each other has served as an example of what healthy relationships should be like, and I love and admire them for that.
I love my parents because they are my parents, my good friends, my heroes, my role models, my safe haven, my pillars of strength.I am who I am today thanks to them, and I know that their support and affection will play an essential role in what I will become in the future.All I can hope is that, when I have children of my own, I will be half as good a parent as they were to me.
Follow Us on Social Media
Get more free essays
Send via email
Most useful resources for students:.
- Free Essays Download
- Writing Tools List
- Proofreading Services
- Universities Rating
Contributors Bio
Find more useful services for students
Free plagiarism check, professional editing, online tutoring, free grammar check.
- My Parents Essay
500 Words Essay On My Parents
We entered this world because of our parents. It is our parents who have given us life and we must learn to be pleased with it. I am grateful to my parents for everything they do for me. Through my parents essay, I wish to convey how valuable they are to me and how much I respect and admire them.
My Strength My Parents Essay
My parents are my strength who support me at every stage of life. I cannot imagine my life without them. My parents are like a guiding light who take me to the right path whenever I get lost.
My mother is a homemaker and she is the strongest woman I know. She helps me with my work and feeds me delicious foods . She was a teacher but left the job to take care of her children.
My mother makes many sacrifices for us that we are not even aware of. She always takes care of us and puts us before herself. She never wakes up late. Moreover, she is like a glue that binds us together as a family.
Parents are the strength and support system of their children. They carry with them so many responsibilities yet they never show it. We must be thankful to have parents in our lives as not everyone is lucky to have them.
Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas
While my mother is always working at home, my father is the one who works outside. He is a kind human who always helps out my mother whenever he can. He is a loving man who helps out the needy too.
My father is a social person who interacts with our neighbours too. Moreover, he is an expert at maintaining his relationship with our relatives. My father works as a businessman and does a lot of hard work.
Even though he is a busy man, he always finds time for us. We spend our off days going to picnics or dinners. I admire my father for doing so much for us without any complaints.
He is a popular man in society as he is always there to help others. Whoever asks for his help, my father always helps them out. Therefore, he is a well-known man and a loving father whom I look up to.
Conclusion of My Parents Essay
I love both my parents with all my heart. They are kind people who have taught their children to be the same. Moreover, even when they have arguments, they always make up without letting it affect us. I aspire to become like my parents and achieve success in life with their blessings.
FAQ of My Parents Essay
Question 1: Why parents are important in our life?
Answer 1: Parents are the most precious gifts anyone can get. However, as not everyone has them, we must consider ourselves lucky if we do. They are the strength and support system of children and help them out always. Moreover, the parents train the children to overcome challenges and make the best decision for us.
Question 2: What do parents mean to us?
Answer 2: Parents mean different things to different people. To most of us, they are our source of happiness and protection. They are the ones who are the closest to us and understand our needs without having to say them out loud. Similarly, they love us unconditionally for who we are without any ifs and buts.
Customize your course in 30 seconds
Which class are you in.
- Travelling Essay
- Picnic Essay
- Our Country Essay
- Essay on Favourite Personality
- Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
- Essay on Knowledge is Power
- Essay on Gurpurab
- Essay on My Favourite Season
- Essay on Types of Sports
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Download the App
Roles and Responsibilities for a Mother and Father
When you become a parent, your whole life changes. You have an entire human being to take care of and it’s not just about you anymore. Your task list will grow and can become overwhelming. This is where roles and responsibilities for a mother and father need to be established.
Between appointments, grocery store runs, housework, and sometimes school or work, you might start to feel like you’re not getting the chance to slow down and enjoy the little moments in life.
When you think about the roles and responsibilities of a parent, you might think of things like making sure 3 meals a day have been made, washing clothes, giving your children baths (if they are still young), and making sure your children are doing well in school.
But if you really think about it, there is much more to being a parent than just going through the motions. As much as it can be a very stressful role to play, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
On top of these everyday life tasks, you are also responsible for teaching your child pretty much everything. You’re literally teaching them how to be a functioning person in society.
you can’t do it all.
When the topic of roles and responsibilities of a mother and father come up, you need to understand that it is a discussion that should lead to a team effort, not a way to try and do less.
As a parent, you need help. You need a moment to take care of yourself.
This is why establishing certain roles and responsibilities with the other parent is key in making sure you do not exhaust yourself while also making sure your children are taken care of.
We tend to often neglect our own needs because we don’t establish these roles from the beginning and it gets to a certain point where the family becomes out of function. We want to give our kids the world but it is impossible to do that without setting up a structure that allows you to do so. Your kids may come first, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.
If you have a partner or are actively co-parenting with your child’s other parent, you can alleviate some of this pressure and stress by taking on equal roles in your child’s life or at home.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
Let’s be honest, you can not do it all. If you manage to do it, you’ll likely find yourself feeling like you missed out on experiencing parenthood because you had to spend so much of it stressed out and not fully present.
If there are two parents in the home- there is no reason that one parent should find themselves taking on the majority of the responsibilities at home or with the children.
For example- dad could tidy up the living room while mom bathes the kids. Dad could do an activity with the kids while mom is cooking to keep them engaged and keep them from interfering.
If you find yourself taking on every task on your own, you may grow resentful toward your partner and experience a burnout from overworking yourself.
It can be helpful to function as a team unit- giving each other assistance and time to care for themselves as well. On the days where we feel out of it, our partner may pick up a little bit of our slack.
The important takeaway from this though is to understand that teamwork is important in all of this.
The problem with “traditional” roles
In society, there is a list of “traditional roles” that takes place in a family. These roles and responsibilities of a mother and father have been passed down from generations.
An example of roles would be the mother doing all of the housework including:
- Family management
- Helping kids with homework
- Taking them to and from school
On the other hand, the father’s role is to “lead.” You may find irony in this, as in this traditional role, the mother seems to do all of the “leading.”
The main role of the father in a traditional sense is to:
- Bring money home for the family
- Be the protecotr of the family
- Essentially be the face of the family
The issue with traditional roles is that it is all too easy for men to use this to relieve themselves of all responsibilities when it comes to their children and their home. It fuels a dynamic called financial abuse.
This is where the man controls all of the ins and outs of the money, leaving the women and children to depend entirely on him.
In order to survive, the woman may put up with an intense amount of mistreatment and unfairness for the sake of having a roof over their children’s heads. Being the sole caretaker of the children- they may find it impossible to work, making this cycle very complicated to break.
Some mothers do everything they can and struggle in poverty, only to have their children taken away because their father, who has done none of the work in raising his children, has money.
These things are not unheard of, and it may even scare some women into staying with their abuser for the sake of being with their children.
On the other hand though, women may take advantage by not wanting to work or find a job. They think that men should have the sole responsibility of bringing in the income and that they can play the role of being a housewife forver.
Both situations should not happen and should be avoided at all costs.
This will not only bring fairness to the table but will also make sure that no one gets burned out in the process. Parenting should be a fun and rewarding experience so setting up the roles and responsibilities as a team unit is key.
What if the traditional role is what We want?
Some parents DO prefer the traditional family roles.
If it is something that the mother and father have decided they want to enforce, that is at their discretion. Not every man needs to be the breadwinner and not every woman needs to clean and cook.
It may just be the best option for your family, and that’s okay, so long as both parties are comfortable with their roles. It’s all in communication and what works best for not only the children but also the parents.
Our roles are different, but our involvement isn’t.
As a mom and a dad, your roles may not be the same, even if you divide the housework and childcare.
Mothers tend to be the nurturer as expected because it’s biological . That doesn’t mean that the father shouldn’t be nurturing or affectionate to their child.
Regardless of what roles you take on in your home, the thing that the kids notice the most is who was involved and attentive. Don’t shy away from doing things for/with your children because it is “outside of your role.”
These are core memories being made for your child, and you want them to remember that they were and are always loved.
If you’re feeling stuck in your roles, switch for a day!
Have you ever heard someone say, often sarcastically, “ if only I could be the dad for a day”? I have.
This often comes from overworked, underappreciated, stressed-out parents. While the father is snoring loudly, the mom has to stay up with the baby. On the other hand, while the father is working 40+ hours at a job, the mother is at home watching TV.
If that is the case, have a conversation about switching some of the roles you do. If you’re feeling burnt out and feeling like switching roles for a day, try it!
Propose the temporary role reversal in a kind tone.
Listen- we understand. It’s frustrating to have a consistently full plate and no help clearing it. Stress can lead to anger and resentment, and you may take it out on your partner which is the last thing you ever want to happen.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your role, it is important to communicate with your partner first. A simple discussion could lighten your workload and bring understanding to the situation.
If you don’t have the conversation, resentment will build, and your problem won’t be solved.
Make sure that you are not using a harsh or accusatory tone when communicating because this can trigger your partner to instinctively get defensive, which can lead to bigger issues down the line.
Related: I regret having children with my boyfriend
Final Thoughts – Roles and responsibilities of a mother and father
Being a parent requires a lot out of you. The challenges and life-changing routines that you will experience is what truly makes this journey a memorable one.
A big factor in making sure that you can get through this with ease is by establishing the roles and responsibilities early on to make sure that you understand what aspects you will take care of versus your partner.
Without having a strong foundation, you will only make this harder on yourself. You wont get to enjoy the journey and will feel like you are not fit to be a parent.
All in all, we have challenges that make us want to quit but being a parent calls for you to push through and strive to be the best for the sake of your children.
Related Posts:
- How To Know If Your Child's Father Still Loves You
- How To Break Up With The Father Of Your Child
- Does the Mother of My Child Still Love Me?
- The Mother Of My Child Has Moved On
- Daughter Hates Father After Divorce
Creative Punishments for Talking Back
Child is awkward around family.
Home — Essay Samples — Life — Someone Who Inspires Me — My Parents – The People I Admire The Most
My Parents – The People I Admire The Most
- Categories: Someone Who Inspires Me
About this sample
Words: 480 |
Published: Dec 16, 2021
Words: 480 | Page: 1 | 3 min read
Works Cited:
- Burns, J. M. (1991). Leadership. Harper Collins.
- Floyd, K., & Guerrero, L. K. (2016). Nonverbal communication in close relationships. Routledge.
- Goman, C. K. (2008). The nonverbal advantage: Secrets and science of body language at work. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
- Kreps, G. L. (1995). Communication and leadership. Journal of Health Communication, 20(2), 137-141.
- Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent messages: Implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
- Murphy, K. R., & Johnson, S. K. (2011). The dark side of leadership. Routledge.
- Pearce, C. L. (1997). The future of leadership: Combining vertical and shared leadership to transform knowledge work. The Academy of Management Executive, 11(3), 7-17.
- Scherer, K. R., Banse, R., & Wallbott, H. G. (2010). Emotions in close relationships. Psychology Press.
- Stewart, J. (2018). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J. H., & Jackson, D. D. (2011). Pragmatics of human communication: A study of interactional patterns, pathologies, and paradoxes. WW Norton & Company.
Cite this Essay
To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:
Let us write you an essay from scratch
- 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
- Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Get high-quality help
Prof Ernest (PhD)
Verified writer
- Expert in: Life
+ 120 experts online
By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email
No need to pay just yet!
Related Essays
2 pages / 967 words
2 pages / 875 words
1 pages / 1427 words
4 pages / 1807 words
Remember! This is just a sample.
You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.
121 writers online
Still can’t find what you need?
Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled
Related Essays on Someone Who Inspires Me
Vie binge watches Game of Thrones all day in her living room, walks out of her house and goes to the convenience store wearing only her sweater and pajamas forgetting she hasn’t taken a bath in two days. And yet she still looks [...]
Everyone has that someone that they admire and look up to them throughout their life .For me a formula one driver named Lewis Hamilton who influence me and shape my life till today. He influenced my life because he is very [...]
Inspiration is a profound sentiment, seldom ignited by ordinary individuals. It requires someone truly extraordinary to spark that inner fire. In my life, that exceptional figure is my grandfather. As I recount his story, you'll [...]
Not many people know who he is, yet we use what he made almost every day: Google, one of the most used websites on the internet. Google is a search engine which, 'organizes the world's information and makes it universally [...]
As a result of the currently increasing broadcasting of sports, most parents are persuaded towards motivating their children to emulate athletes as they think it is right technique for encouraging them to work hard in school [...]
This essay explores the life and works of Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini, one of the most celebrated Italian composers in history. Born on December 22, 1858, in Lucca, Italy, Puccini was one of nine [...]
Related Topics
By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.
Where do you want us to send this sample?
By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.
Be careful. This essay is not unique
This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before
Download this Sample
Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts
Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.
Please check your inbox.
We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!
Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!
We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .
- Instructions Followed To The Letter
- Deadlines Met At Every Stage
- Unique And Plagiarism Free
An official website of the United States government
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
- Publications
- Account settings
- Advanced Search
- Journal List
PERCEPTIONS OF CHILDHOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH MOTHER AND FATHER: DAILY EMOTIONAL AND STRESSOR EXPERIENCES IN ADULTHOOD
Melanie h mallers, susan t charles, shevaun d neupert, david m almeida.
- Author information
- Copyright and License information
Adults who report having had high quality relationships with their parents during childhood have better overall mental health and are at decreased risk for mental disorders compared to those who report low parental relationship quality. Researchers have predominantly focused on the relationship with the mother, oftentimes excluding the unique role that fathers may play in the long-term development of their offspring. The current study examined the unique associations of recalled childhood experiences of mother- and father-child relationship quality with daily emotional experiences and stress processes in adulthood. Men and women (N = 912, 25 – 74 years old) retrospectively reported the quality of their childhood relationships with their mother and father. Later, they reported their daily psychological distress and stressor exposure every night over eight consecutive evenings. Results indicate that mother-child relationship quality was related to lower levels of daily psychological distress. Both mother- and father-child relationship quality were related to stressor exposure, but only father-son relationship quality was related to lower levels of emotional reactivity to stressors during adulthood.
Keywords: mother-child, father-child, relationship quality, psychological distress, daily stressors, age cohort
The quality of parenting one receives during childhood has lasting effects on health and well-being (e.g., Shaw, Krause, Chatter, Connell & Ingersoll-Dayton, 2004 ). Parent-child relationship quality is often assessed by asking respondents about childhood experiences such as the level and quality of support, nurturance and affection they received from their parents. These viewpoints are strong predictors of psychological and physical well being throughout life (e.g., Antonucci, Akiyama, Takahashi, 2004 ; Repetti, Taylor, & Seeman, 2002 ; Roberts & Bengston, 1996 ; Russek & Schwartz, 1997 ; Seeman & Syme, 1987 ; Shumaker & Czajkowski, 1994 ; Taylor, Lerner, Sage, Lehman, & Seeman, 2004 ; Turner & Muller, 2004 ; Umberson, 1992 ; Wickrama, Lorenz, & Conger, 1997 ). Though the extent to which these perceptions vary across development and into adulthood is debated ( Aquilino, 1997 ), research suggests that views of parent-child relationships remain relatively consistent from adolescence to adulthood ( Rossi & Rossi, 1990 ). Furthermore, these perceptions predict adulthood physical health better than other known correlates such as current age, familial history of illness, and lifestyle behaviours ( Medalie & Golbourt, 1976 ; Russek & Schwartz, 1996 ; Seeman & Syme, 1987 ). For the present study, we examine adults’ retrospective reports of the quality of their childhood relationships with their mother and father and link them with current emotional well-being (i.e. psychological distress), daily stressor exposure, and emotional reactivity to daily stressors.
Researchers have discussed the pathways leading from the receipt of poor parenting in childhood to worse mental health in later life. These models assert that children who receive chaotic, harsh or neglectful care from their parents develop poor emotion regulation strategies, which in turn leaves them more susceptible to emotional distress later in life (e.g., Repetti et al., 2002 ). Research findings are consistent with these models, indicating that retrospective ratings of low parental quality during childhood are related to higher levels of negative emotionality in adulthood, including anger, hostility, depression and anxiety ( Lehman, Taylor, Kiefe, & Seeman, 2009 ; Turner & Muller, 2004 ). In addition, adults who report poorer relationship quality with their parents during childhood have both lower self-confidence and emotional well-being than their higher-scoring counterparts (e.g., Diehl, Elnick, Bourbeau, & Labouvie-Vief, 1998 ). The above studies underscore the importance of parental relationship quality in childhood on later emotional well-being.
Current findings, however, often are limited by samples that are small, all male, or consisting only of college students. In addition, studies often restrict their research to one-time assessments of emotional well-being. More recently, researchers have begun to focus on the importance of capturing dynamic emotional processes in daily life (e.g., Almeida, 2005 ). A growing number of studies examine the temporal covariation of daily stressors and psychological distress to capture individual differences in emotional reactivity to stressors ( Larsen, Billings, & Cutler, 1996 ; Larsen & Kasimatis, 1990 ; Tennen, Suls, & Affleck, 1991 ). Furthermore, research has focused almost exclusively on the mother-child relationship (e.g., Biller, 1974 ; Levine, Murphy, & Wilson, 1993 ; Saracho & Spodek, 2008 ). When fathers are mentioned, their contribution to their children’s welfare is often limited to financial support, or the effects of inadequate or absent fathering ( Hawkins & Dollahite, 1997 ; Marks & Palkovitz, 2004 ). The present study uses a national data set of men and women spanning five decades of adulthood, from ages 25 to 74 years old, to study the unique associations between emotional experience in adulthood and perceived quality of relationships with both the mother and father in childhood. Specifically, we examine mother- and father-child relationship quality with overall emotional experiences, including levels of daily distress and emotional reactivity to daily stressful events.
Socio-Historical Influences on Mother- and Father-Child Relationships
Parent-child interactions are personal and often private encounters, yet they are influenced by socio-historical influences. Two such influences are the socioeconomic environment of the household and the historical expectations and cultural mores about parenting ( Coltrane, 2004 ; Doherty, Kouneski, & Erickson, 1998 ). Parents living in poorer socioeconomic (SES) conditions, for example, tend to be less supportive and nurturing than financially secure parents ( House, Landis & Umberson, 1988 ; Shaw, Krause, Chatters, Connell, & Ingersoll-Dayton, 2003 ). In addition, historical differences in childrearing practices and gender roles also shape what constitutes “good” parenting in the United States, especially as it relates to culturally-determined role expectations of fathers ( Coltrane, 2004 ; Morman & Floyd, 2002 ; Saracho & Spodek, 2008 ). From the mid-nineteenth century through the Great Depression, the father primarily fulfilled the role of “breadwinner” in which good fathers met their family obligation by earning the majority if not all of the family income ( Lamb, 2004 ). Beginning in the 1930’s and 1940’s fathers continued to be breadwinners, but their role was extended to that of a sex-role model, especially for their sons. Good fathers also exemplified masculine traditional traits. By the beginning of the 1970’s, fathers were defined as good if they were the “new nurturant father” who actively participated in child care duties ( Lamb, 2004 ; Pleck & Pleck, 1997 ). The current study examined retrospective reports of both mother-child and father-child relationship quality among adults who ranged from 25–74 years-old and were children across five decades of the 20th century in the United States.
Examining the Unique Roles of the Mother and the Father
Research on parenting focuses predominantly on the primary caregiver, typically the mother. Researchers, however, are increasingly interested in the unique contributions of each parent on a child’s short-term and long-term development. For example, mothers spend more time in routine caregiving activities with their children ( Parke, 1996 ) and are most often the primary source of physical comfort and safety for the child (e.g., Baumrind, 1980 ; Blankenhorn, 1995 ; Dempsey, 2000 ; Lamb, 1997 ; Pleck, 1997 ). Fathers, in contrast, more often engage the child in physical and stimulating interaction during play ( Parke & Tinsley, 1987 ). Research has shown that through these active play behaviors, including rough-housing, talking and recreational activities ( Jacklin, DiPietro & Maccoby, 1984 ; Lamb, 1997 ) children have the opportunity to develop emotion regulation and problem-solving skills (e.g., Biller, 1993 ; Labrell, 1996 ). In addition, men more than women, often encourage children to take risks, while at the same time ensure their safety and provide an environment where children learn to navigate through unfamiliar situations and to stand up for themselves ( Paquette, 2004 ). Thus, mothers may play a stronger role for shaping overall safety and emotional health and involved fathers may have stronger influence in shaping a child’s sense of industry and competence for handling and adapting to new challenges (e.g., Amato, 1986 ; Biller & Solomon, 1986 ; Clarke-Stewart, 1978 ; Radin, 1982 ), as well as managing emotions ( Easterbrooks & Goldberg, 1990 ) and adapting to stressful situations ( Biller, 1993 ; Mischel, Shoda, & Peake, 1988 ).
Parenting and gender of the child
The quality of the father-child relationship may be especially significant for emotional regulation processes for sons, as compared to daughters. When fathers play an active role in the lives of their children, they generally behave differently with their sons, and they tend to spend more time with sons than daughters ( Lamb, 1987 ). Fathers also report being closer to their sons than their daughters ( Starrels, 1994 ). There is little indication, however, that mothers treat or prefer sons over daughters ( Aldous, Mulligan, & Bjarnason, 1998 ; Harris & Morgan, 1991 ; Lamb, Ketterlinus, & Fracasso, 1992 ; Pleck, 1997 ; Siegal, 1987 ).
Daily Stressors and Emotional Experiences
In the current study, we examined the relationships between mother- and father-child relationship quality during childhood in relation to daily emotional experiences during adulthood. Until now, researchers have linked these childhood relationships to one-time assessments of emotion-related outcomes in adulthood. No study has examined how these early childhood relationships are related to stressor exposure or emotional reactivity to daily stressors. Daily stressors are the routine challenges of day-to-day living, such as interpersonal arguments, work deadlines and traffic jams. Although relatively minor, they exert immediate negative effects on physical and psychological well-being on the day they occur ( Almeida, 2005 ; Almeida, Wethington, & Kessler, 2002 ; Bolger, DeLongis, Kessler, & Schilling, 1989 ), and also accumulate over time to contribute to more serious emotional reactions ( Almeida, 2005 ; Kanner, Coyne, Schaefer, & Lazarus, 1981 ; Lazarus & DeLongis, 1983 ; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984 ; Pearlin, Lieberman, Menaghan, & Mullan, 1981 ; Pearlin & Schooler, 1978 ). Stressor exposure is the likelihood that an individual will experience a daily stressor ( Bolger & Zuckerman, 1995 ). Reactivity is the likelihood that an individual will react emotionally to daily stressors ( Almeida, 2005 ; Bolger & Zuckerman, 1995 ). At the daily level, emotional reactivity refers to the change in daily distress that ensues after a person experiences a stressful event. Thus, reactivity is an indirect measure of emotion regulation, as people who are less upset by a stressful event will experience a smaller increase in distress than someone more disrupted by a stressful event ( Almeida, 2005 ; Bolger & Zuckerman, 1995 ). Researchers posit that receiving poor parenting in childhood may serve as a vulnerability factor - resulting in poorer emotion regulation skills, which in turn leads to worse emotional outcomes (e.g., Lehman et al., 2009 ). In the present study we assessed whether retrospective reports of low quality mother-child and father-child relationship quality are related to higher levels of stressors exposure and greater stressor reactivity.
Neuroticism
A concern with using self-reported information is possible response bias. Researchers suggest that neuroticism captures a negative response bias whereby people report higher levels of negative emotions and more somatic complaints (e.g., Watson & Pennebaker, 1989 ). High levels of neuroticism have also been linked to more pronounced mood swings and to greater reactivity to stressors ( Mroczek & Almeida, 2004 ; Suls, Green, & Hillis, 1998 ; Suls & Martin, 2005 ). To alleviate this concern, researchers often include neuroticism in their statistical models to control for potential negative response biases driving their results (e.g., Charles & Almeida, 2007 ). In the present study, a negative response bias would lead to more negative childhood memories, a greater reported number of daily stressors, and higher levels of psychological distress. Thus, we include neuroticism in our models with the attempt to reduce the risk that the relationship between retrospective reports of mother- and father-child relationship quality and daily emotional experiences during adulthood is a function of distorted or biased reporting.
The Present Study
The current study examined how retrospective accounts of mother- and father-child relationship quality during childhood are related to daily emotional experiences (e.g., psychological distress), stressor exposure, and emotional reactivity to stressful events. We hypothesized that more positive retrospective ratings of early mother- and father-child relationship quality are related to lower levels of daily psychological distress. In addition, we hypothesized that more positive ratings of early relationship quality are related to experiencing fewer daily stressors in adulthood. Finally, we predicted that more positive retrospective ratings of early relationship quality with mother and father are related to decreased emotional reactivity to daily stressors. We further predicted that this relationship will be stronger for fathers and sons.
In addition to the above hypotheses, we also questioned whether our findings would vary by age group. Given that our data include people spanning a wide age range who were children from the 1920s to the 1970s and evidence indicating that parenting practices may have varied across historical periods in the United States, we examine whether the hypotheses vary by respondent’ age cohort.
In all analyses, we controlled for several covariates. In addition to neuroticism, we also controlled for socioeconomic status (SES). Low SES in childhood has been associated with poorer parental quality, poorer health in adulthood and low SES in adulthood. For this reason, we included both childhood SES and adulthood SES in our models. Additionally, given our wide age range, we control for the possibility that individuals whose parents have died have different memories than those whose parents are alive; thus we thus also control for survival status of the parent (i.e., whether respondents’ mother and father are living or deceased) in our analyses.
Participants and Procedure
Respondents participated in the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), a daily diary study included in the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) ( Brim, Ryff, & Kessler, 2004 ) performed under the auspices of the John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Successful Midlife Development (Orville Gilbert Brim, Director). The MIDUS survey was administered to a nationally representative sample of 7189 non-institutionalized adults ranging from 25 to74 years-old, recruited by telephone to participate in the study (for further information, please see Brim, Ryff, & Kessler, 2004 ).
Of the 1,242 original randomly selected MIDUS respondents for the NSDE, 1,031 (562 women, 469 men) chose to participate, for a response rate of 83%. Respondents completed short telephone interviews about their daily experiences in the past 24 hours on eight consecutive evenings. They completed an average of seven of the eight interviews, resulting in a total of 7221 daily interviews. Data collection spanned an entire year and consisted of 40 separate “flights” of interviews, with each flight representing the eight-day sequence of interviews from approximately 38 respondents. The initiation of interview flights was staggered across the day of the week to control for the possibly confounding between day of study and day of week.
Approximately half of the NSDE sample were female (54.5%) and over half of the sample had at least a high school degree or equivalent (62%). The average family income was between $50,000 and $55,000. The NSDE sample was predominately Caucasian (90.3%) with a small subsample of African Americans (5.9%), and 3.8% from other racial groups or who declined to state their ethnicity. Most reported being married (65.4%) and a large percentage reported having at least one child age 18 or under living in the household (37.8%). For the current study, only respondents who reported both maternal and paternal affection from their parent were included in the analyses (N = 912; men: n = 423; women: 489). This exclusion criterion was selected to examine the unique contribution of each parent for all people where information from both parents was available.
Mother-child and father-child relationship quality
In the MIDUS questionnaire, respondents rated the quality of their relationships with both their mother and father during childhood. Participants first rated the overall relationship quality with their mother in response to the question, “How would you rate your relationship with your mother during the years when you were growing up?” on a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 ( excellent ) to 5 ( poor ). Respondents then answered the following questions: a) How much did she understand your problems or worries?; b) How much could you confide in her about things that were bothering you?; c) How much love and affection did she give you?; d) How much time and attention did she give when you needed it?; e) How much effort did she put into watching over you and making sure you had a good upbringing?; and f) How much did she teach you about life? using a Likert-type scale ranging from 1 to 4 corresponding to 1 ( a lot), 2 (some), 3 (a little), and 4 ( not at all) . The identical questions were then asked about their father. To provide an equivalent measurement scale across all five of these questions, responses to the first question were multiplied by .75. All scores were reverse coded so that higher scores indicate higher quality, and mean scores were calculated for mother-child relationship quality (α = .91) and father-child relationship quality (α = .93). For additional studies using this measure, see Davey, Tucker, Fingerman, and Savla, (2009) and Rossi (2001) .
Daily psychological distress
Daily psychological distress was assessed by the Non-Specific Psychological Distress scale developed for the MIDUS survey ( Kessler et al., 2002 ; Mroczek & Kolarz, 1998 ). This measure included self-reported assessments of how much during the past 24 hours the respondent reported feeling: (1) depressed, (2) restless or fidgety, (3) so restless that [the respondent] could not sit still, (4) nervous, (5) so nervous that nothing could calm [the respondent] down, (6) worthless, (7) so sad that nothing could cheer [the respondent] up, (8) tired out, (9) that everything was an effort, and (10) hopeless. Responses were based on a 5-point scale from 1 ( none of the time) to 5 ( all of the time) . Daily psychological distress was created by computing the mean scores across the 10 items (α = .89). For additional studies using this measure, see Almeida et al. (2002) .
Daily stressors
Daily stressors were assessed through a semi-structured Daily Inventory of Stressful Events (DISE, Almeida et al., 2002 ). The inventory consisted of a series of “stem” questions asking whether six types of stressor events (arguments or disagreements, avoided arguments and tensions, home events, work events, events occurring to the respondent’s close other, and discrimination) occurred within the previous 24 hours along with a set of guidelines for probing affirmative responses. The aim of the interviewing technique was to acquire a short narrative of each event that was then used to rate various components of the events. For example, if respondents said that a work stressor had occurred, they were then asked follow-up questions such as “Could you tell me a little about the background to that?” or “What about this do you think most people would consider stressful?” All interviews were tape-recorded, then transcribed and coded for several characteristics, including type or classification. It should be noted that non-events, or responses triggered by sad memories or recollections of the past, were not coded. For each of the six stressor stem questions included in the present study, people received a “1” if a stressor was reported and a “0” if none was reported. The total number of stressors reported each day was averaged to capture individual differences in the average number of stressors (termed weekly stressor exposure ) that people are exposed to across the course of the week. Daily Stressors was created by dummy coding study days into two categories, such that respondents were given a score of “1” if they provided an affirmative response to any of the stem questions and “0” if they did not. Two expert raters coded approximately 20% of all the stressors. Respondents reported on average experiencing three stressors across the eight days of study. In terms of daily stressors, respondents reported any stressors on 40% of the study days. The DISE has strong reliability and validity ( Almeida et al., 2002 ) and has been used effectively in many previous studies (e.g., Grzywacz, Almeida, Neupert, & Ettner, 2004 ; Mallers, Almeida, & Neupert, 2005 ).
Neuroticism was assessed in the MIDUS questionnaire by a four item measure created for the MIDUS ( Lachman & Weaver, 1997 ). Participants responded to the stem question ‘‘Please indicate how well each of the following describes you’’ for the four items ‘‘moody,’’ ‘‘worrying,’’ ‘‘nervous,’’ and ‘‘calm’’ (reversed) using a 0–3 response scale, where 0 meant not at all and 3 meant a lot. The mean was then taken for these items (leaving out those who had missing data for one or more items). Coefficient alpha was .79 in the current sample. This scale has been used in a number of published reports that have documented its construct validity ( Mroczek & Kolarz, 1998 ; Prenda & Lachman, 2001 ; Staudinger, Fleeson, & Baltes, 1999 ).
Childhood and current socioeconomic status (SES)
We used the highest education level of the father as an indicator of childhood SES ( Almeida, Neupert, Banks, & Serido, 2005 ). Parental education is a well-defined gradient of socioeconomic disadvantage ( Adler et al., 1994 ; Marmot, Ryff, Bumpass, Shipley, & Marks, 1997 ) and the foundation from which occupational and earning strata are created ( Marks & Shinberg, 1998 ). When information about the father’s education was not available, we used the highest education of the mother. We included this measure because childhood socioeconomic status is a significant correlate of parenting quality ( Shaw et al., 2004 ). People reported the highest level of education achieved by their father, followed by an identical question about the educational attainment of their mother on a 12-point ordinal scale, ranging from 1 (no school or some grade school) to 12 (doctoral or other professional degree). For current socioeconomic status, respondents reported their highest level of education achieved on a 12-point ordinal scale, ranging from 1 (no school or some grade school) to 12 (doctoral or other professional degree).
Mother and father survival status
The MIDUS survey asked respondents if their father and mother were still alive (1 = yes; 0 = no). A dichotomous variable was created indicating the survival status of each parent.
Descriptive results
Table 1 presents descriptive information and correlations among the study variables. Mother-child relationship quality and father-child relationship quality were significantly related to one other, but the zero-order correlation coefficient of .46 suggested unique components for each construct. A repeated measures general linear model compared mother-child quality to father-child relationship quality, and examined whether these ratings varied by gender and age group of the participants. To examine possible historical variations in parent-child relationships, we created 5 categorical age groups, broken into decades, reflecting people born between 1921 and 1970: (a) 25–34 years in age; (b) 35–44 years in age; (c) 45–54 years in age; (d) 55–64 years in age; and (e) 65–74 years in age. In all of the analyses, the oldest age group served as the referent group. Results indicate that mother-child relationship quality ( M = 3.17, SE = 0.02) was rated significantly higher than father-child relationship quality ( M = 2.81, SE = .03 ), F (1, 910) = 177.43, p < .001, η 2 = .17). An interaction between relationship type (mother vs. father) and gender was significant, F (1, 910) = 9.30, p < . 001, η 2 = .01). This interaction revealed that men reported higher ratings of mother-child quality than did women (men: M = 3.26, SE = .04); women: M = 3.07, SE = .04), but similar ratings for father-child relationship quality (men: M = 2.82, SE = .04, women: M = 2.79, SE = .04). In addition, a significant age group main effect, F (1, 910) = 4.29, p < .01, η 2 = .02, revealed that overall relationship quality was highest for the two oldest cohorts of adults, those aged 55–64 years-old ( M = 3.08, SE = .04) and 65–74 years-old ( M = 3.10, SE = .07), compared to people aged 25–34 years-old ( M = 2.97, SE = .05), and 45 – 54 years-old ( M = 2.91, SE = .04). The 35–44 year-old age/cohort group had significantly lower ratings ( M = 2.87, SE = .04) compared to all other age groups with the exception of the 45–54 year-olds. As a result, we controlled for age group and also explored age group interaction with the hypotheses. Furthermore, based on prior research described above, we also controlled for childhood SES, current SES, levels of neuroticism, and survival status of both the mother and the father.
Descriptive Statistics and Intercorrelations for Study Variables at the Between-Person Level
p <.001,
p <.05. Because weekly stressor exposure is the same as daily stressor exposure at the between-person level, we only report the daily stressor exposure statistics.
Multilevel analyses
We used multilevel modeling with the SAS (1997) Proc Mixed program to examine emotional reactivity to daily stressors. In this framework, individual change/variability is represented by a two-level hierarchical model ( Hawkins, Guo, Hill, Battin-Pearson, & Abbott, 2001 ). At Level 1, each person’s variability is expressed as an individual regression equation with its own intercept and slope. These individual parameters become the outcome variables in a Level 2 model, where person-level characteristics can be included to explain individual differences. Multilevel modeling is frequently used to model intraindividual variability; that is, people’s variability around their own average. This technique was useful in the current study because we examined interindividual differences (e.g., mother-child and father child relationship quality) in intraindividual covariation (e.g., the within-person relationship between stressors and psychological distress).
Multilevel results
We examined whether sufficient variance existed both within-person (Level 1) and between-person (Level 2) to include predictors in the model. Fully unconditional models revealed the amount of variance differed significantly from 0, such that 54% of the variability in emotional distress was between people,τ 00 = 7.22, z = 19.42, p < .001, and 46% was within people,σ 2 = 6.23, z = 55.35, p < .001. Thus, we then proceeded to examine variables that accounted for this between- and within-subject variance in tests of the hypotheses ( Nezlek, 2001 ; Raudenbush & Bryk, 2002 ).
Daily Psychological Distress and Mother- and Father-Child Relationship Quality
We hypothesized that more positive retrospective ratings of early mother- and father-child relationship quality would be related to lower levels of daily psychological distress. In a multilevel model, psychological distress was the dependent variable and both mother and father-child relationship quality were entered as independent variables. The covariates included age group, neuroticism, childhood and adulthood SES, mother survival status, father survival status, and gender (see Model 1 of Table 2 ). Results showed that mother-child relationship quality was significantly related to psychological distress (γ012), indicating that higher levels of reported mother-child relationship quality were related to lower levels of daily psychological distress. For example, people who reported high levels of mother-child relationship quality ( M + 1 SD ) reported 3% less psychological distress compared to those who reported low levels of mother-child relationship quality ( M - 1 SD ). Across the covariates, higher levels of neuroticism (γ001), lower current SES (γ002), mother survival status (γ006), and younger age (γ008 and γ009) were significantly associated with higher levels of daily psychological distress. Although the zero-order correlation of father-child relationship quality and psychological distress was significant (in Table 1 ), this association was not significant in this model with the inclusion of the other variables. The model explained 47% of the between-person variance in psychological distress.
Coefficients (and Standard Errors) of Multilevel Models of Daily Psychological Distress
p < .05,
p < .01,
p < .001
We explored whether gender would interact with either mother- or father-child relationship quality, for example, whether the relationship between mother-child relationship quality and psychological distress would be stronger for women than men, and whether relationship between father-child relationship quality and psychological distress would be stronger for men than women. Although the interaction between gender and father-relationship quality showed a trend where higher levels of father-child relationship quality was related to lower levels of psychological distress among men, t (4815) = -1.89, p = .06, this trend was not significant. We also explored in an additional model the interactions between the five age categories and father- and mother-child relationship quality and whether these relationships were stronger for different age groups. No interactions with age and either parental relationship quality variable approached levels of significance (e.g., t values ranged from .13 to 1.56).
Stressor Exposure and Mother- and Father-Child Relationship Quality
We hypothesized that more negative retrospective ratings of mother- and father-relationship quality were also related to greater exposure to daily stressors. In a regression analyses, we used the average number of stressor categories reported each day (maximum of 6 each day) across the eight days as the dependent variable. Mother- and father-child relationship quality were the independent variables, and age group, childhood and current SES, gender, neuroticism, and the survival statuses of the mother and the father were included as covariates. Results indicate that poorer relationship quality with both mother (β = -.08, p =.05) and father (β = -.12, p =.003) were associated with more stressors. People who reported low levels of mother-child relationship quality ( M - 1 SD ) reported 3% more stressors compared to those who reported higher levels of mother-child relationship quality ( M + 1 SD ), and those who reported lower levels of father-child relationship quality (M – 1SD) reported 4% more stressors compared to those who reported higher levels of father-child relationship quality (M + 1SD). In addition, higher childhood SES and current SES, younger age, and higher levels of neuroticism were significantly related to a greater numbers of stressors reported across the eight day study. The total model accounted for 12% of the variance in average stressor exposure.
Emotional Reactivity and Mother- and Father-Child Relationship Quality
We hypothesized that mother- and father-relationships quality were each related to emotional reactivity to daily stressors. We examined this prediction in a single multilevel model where psychological distress was the dependent variable. In this model (see Model 2 of Table 2 ), mother- and father-relationship quality, the occurrence of a stressor that day, and the interactions between mother-child relationship quality and stressor occurrence, and between father-child relationship quality and stressor occurrence were included with the covariates (i.e., childhood and current SES, age category, gender, neuroticism, and both mother and father survival status). Total number of stressors also was included as a covariate in this model to ensure that stressor occurrence was uniquely capturing the effect of that stressor on the psychological distress experienced that day, and not capturing the effects of greater overall stressor exposure on psychological distress. The hypotheses regarding reactivity were tested by the interactions between stressor occurrence and mother-child relationship quality (γ11), and that of stressor occurrence and father-child relationship quality (γ12). Results revealed that higher reported father-child relationship quality in childhood was significantly associated with less reactivity to daily stressors (see Figure 1 ). The interaction with mother-child relationship quality was not significant. This model accounted for 12% of the within-person and 54% of the between-person variance in daily psychological distress. In a second model, we tested the hypothesis that father-son relationship quality would be related to stressor reactivity, such that men who reported higher relationship quality with their fathers would be less emotionally reactive to daily stressors than men who reported lower relationship quality (see Model 3 of Table 2 ). Results support our hypothesis, such that the buffering effect of higher levels of father-child relationship quality on reactivity to stressors was only significant among men (γ15); for women, father-child relationship quality was unrelated to stressor reactivity. This model accounted for 12% of the within-person and 55% of the between-person variance in daily psychological distress.
Father-child relationship quality differences in emotional reactivity to daily stressors.
Note. Those with high father relationship quality (M + 1 SD) were less reactive to daily stressors compared to those with low father relationship quality (M – 1 SD). Results are adjusted for neuroticism, childhood SES, current SES, total stress, parent survival status, and age group.
We explored whether these effects were stronger for age group in a third model that included the three-way interaction of father-child relationship quality, stressor exposure, and age. Given the exploratory nature of these analyses, we set the significance criterion to p < .01. None of the interactions with the five age categories were significant.
Most studies examining parenting received in childhood focus on the relationship with the mother (e.g., Bowlby, 1982 ). Growing evidence, however, suggests that fathers play a unique and important role in the health of their offspring (e.g., Lamb, 2004 ; Nord, Brimhall, & West, 1997 ; Tamis-LeMonda, Shannon, Cabrera, & Lamb, 2004 ). The current study examined the unique associations between retrospective reports of mother-child and father-child relationship quality during chilhdood and daily emotional experiences (psychological distress), stressor exposure, and reactivity to stressors during adulthood. Findings reveal that only mother-child relationship is significantly related to overall levels of emotional experience in analyses where both relationships are examined together. When examining associations with daily stressors and reports of parent-child relationship quality, relationship quality with both mother and father are each uniquely associated with stressor exposure. However, only father-child relationship quality is significantly related to emotional reactivity to stressors, and only among men.
Mother-Child Relationship Quality and Levels of Daily Psychological Distress
We hypothesized that more positive retrospective ratings of early mother- and father-child relationship quality would each be related to lower levels of daily psychological distress. Both relationship reports were independently related to lower levels of daily psychological distress; however, only mother-child relationship quality remained a unique predictor of psychological distress when both mother-child and father-child relationship quality were included in a model together. This finding was true for both men and women.
The importance of mother-child relationship quality for both men and women on daily levels of psychological distress is consistent with the attachment literature that states that mothers traditionally serve as the primary caregiver from whom the initial parent-child bond is established, one that provides physical safety and comfort for both girls and boys ( Ainsworth, 1973 ; Bowlby, 1969 ). During times of stress, the mother is the parent who most often attempts to calm and reassure children ( Paquette, 2004 ). Thus, the mother-child relationship serves as a salient foundation from which both men and women develop their secure base and thus their general emotional well-being. This appears to hold true across a wide age range of adults raised in different historical eras. Thus, regardless of both gender and cohort, reports of higher mother-child relationship quality are related to lower levels of daily distress in adulthood.
Mother- and Father-Child Relationship Quality and Exposure to Daily Stressors
Although only the mother-child relationship quality was uniquely associated with overall levels of psychological distress, both mother-child and father-child relationship quality were each significantly associated with daily stressor occurrence. Although daily stressors may be unpredictable, more often they arise out of the routine circumstances of everyday life ( Almeida, 2005 ). Psychosocial characteristics likely play a role in determining what kinds of stressors an individual experiences ( Almeida, 2005 ), such as early parent-child relationship quality. Research has shown that support from parents during childhood has significant and lasting implications for well-being ( Antonucci & Akiyama, 1987 ; Shaw et al., 2004 ). Interestingly, the majority of daily stressors are interpersonal arguments and tensions, as compared to work/school, home, health-related or network stressors (stressful events happening to a close other of the respondent) ( Almeida, 2005 ), and are highly predictive of psychological distress. Perhaps having attentive and caring parents equip children with the experiences and skills necessary to more successfully navigate their relationships with other people throughout childhood and into adulthood as compared to those without such sensitive parents. In other words, having healthy parent-child relationship may buffer both men and women from exposure to daily stressors that involve interactions with others.
Father-Child Relationship Quality and Emotional Reactivity to Stressors
Having received high quality parenting from both parents in childhood may serve as a buffer from which adult children experience daily stressors, but only reports of father-child relationships were significantly associated with stressor reactivity, and only among men. Men who reported having received higher quality father-child relationships during childhood reported less emotional reactivity to daily stressors as compared to men who reported having poorer father-child relationship quality. This finding held even after controlling for neuroticism, childhood and current SES, age, and survival status of both parents. Thus, for men, although the mother-son relationship is related to overall levels of daily distress, the father-child relationship is more relevant in influencing how they emotionally react to the stressors in their everyday lives.
One possible reason for this finding is that men were socialized by their fathers to be stern and stoic and not express emotion. This stoicism may, in turn, lead them to report less emotional reactivity to these stressors. A problem with this explanation, however, is that this association held across adults of all ages in the study, representing men who were raised during different historical eras in the United States. If this finding was driven by fathers inculcating stoicism among their sons, we might expect this finding to be stronger among the older cohorts, raised at a time in history when stereotypes that men not express their emotions to others were more strongly endorsed ( Lamb, 2004 ).
Another potential explanation for the role of father-son relationship quality buffering the effects of daily stressors on emotional experience is that men may interact with their sons in ways that prepare them for stressful, problem-solving situations. As we discussed previously, fathers may be particularly influential in the development of certain aspects of child behaviour, and in particular, for this son. When fathers are active with their children, they generally spend more time with their sons than their daughters, and engage them in play and competitive activities; mothers, in contrast, spend an equal amount of time with boys and girls ( Aldous et al., 1998 ; Harris & Morgan, 1991 ). Furthermore, physical active play behaviours, such as rough-housing, talking and recreational activities place more problem-solving related demands on the sons ( Lamb, 1997 ) and teach them to regulate emotions ( Paquette, 2004 ). Play is considered essential for developing children’s problem-solving capacity, social competence, social efficacy and interpersonal cognition in peer interaction (see Liu, 2008 ). As noted earlier, children of involved fathers are more likely to demonstrate a greater tolerance for stress and frustration and be more resourceful and skillful when presented with a problem ( Biller, 1993 ; Easterbrooks & Goldberg, 1990 ; Mischel et al., 1988 ). Perhaps a reason why this same relationship was not found for women is that fathers may be more sensitive to the emotions of their daughters than their sons. This sensitivity may have the unintended effect of not modeling effective emotional regulation in the face of stressful experiences. In contrast, fathers may be more likely to push their sons to participate in challenging, and sometimes perhaps difficult, situations that enhance competence and psychological adjustment (e.g., Amato, 1994 ; Fagan & Iglesias, 1999 ; Yongman, Kindlon, & Earls, 1995 ).
The above findings suggest that future research efforts need to focus understanding on how both fathers and mothers influence long-term well-being for their children. As it relates to fathers, previous studies have been complicated by the fact that there is no singular set of guidelines that define what is good fathering. Furthermore, studies that have examined the role of fathers often note the negative actions on the part of the fathers, and not how their positive actions may be related to long-term outcomes for their children ( Marks & Palkovitz, 2004 ). In addition, greater emphasis can also be made into understanding how fathers, whether unconsciously or not, parent in ways that lead to differential treatment for their sons and daughters.
Limitations and future research directions
Findings about mother-child and father-child relationship quality during childhood were based upon retrospective reports, with some respondents recalling childhood experiences over 50 years and more. This methodology raises concerns that perceptions may change over time, or that a positive or negative response bias may be driving the findings. Previous studies, however, indicate that one’s viewpoint and beliefs of recalled experiences with parents are strong predictors of psychological well being throughout life ( Russek & Schwartz, 1997 ; Schumaker & Csajkowski, 1994). In addition, longitudinal studies following children into adulthood have found that reports of perceived warmth in adulthood are consistent with what researchers observed when these adults were children ( Brewin & Gotlib, 1993 ; Parker, Turpling, & Brown, 1979 ). Even if these perceptions are not accurate representations of childhood experiences, however, they suggest that how people remember the parenting they received in childhood from their mother and their father is significantly and differentially related to their emotional experiences in adulthood.
Concerning the possibility of a response bias driving the findings, the differential pattern of findings for mother-child and father-child relationship quality to stressor and emotional outcomes in the current study help to allay these concerns. If happier people, for example, reported all aspects of their lives more positively and reported less emotional reactivity when stressors occur (and vice versa for less happier people), then we would not expect differential patterns based on the gender of the parent or the gender of the respondent. Longitudinal data, observing or querying children and following them until the oldest are 74 years-old, will allow us to either confirm or dispute the inferences from this study. Until these data are available, these findings suggest that both mother- and father-child parental relationship quality are associated with the emotional well-being of their children long after childhood is over.
Another limitation is that our current study only included people who reported on parent-child relationship quality from both mother and father. We limited our study to examine the unique role of the mother and father when both parents were present in the respondent’s childhood, thus this research focus necessarily excluded people who were raised in households where children were not parented from both a mother and a father. Families headed by single parents, or by lesbian and gay parents, for example, may show very different patterns of influences on parent-child relationships ( Arnup, 1995 ; Barrett & Tasker, 2001 ; Martin, 1998 ; Morris, Balsam, & Rothblum, 2002 ). Future studies will need to examine these patterns as well.
In addition, future studies should examine the relationship between mother-child and/or father-child relationships during childhood and adulthood outcomes among different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. For example, findings show that income is positively correlated with father involvement among groups varying by ethnicity and socicoeconomic status ( Fagan, 1998 ; Honig & Mayne, 1982 ; Parke, 1996 ). Such findings may shed light on variations of parenting and parenting practices, as well as on perceptions of parental involvement. Moreover, in-depth, qualitative studies would greatly help us understand parental relationship quality and reactivity to stress in ways that large scale, survey type (and especially, retrospective) studies cannot capture.
Finally, the present study did not measure potential mechanisms underlying associations between mother- and father-child relationships quality and both psychological distress and reactivity. Possible mechanisms include biobehavioral and physiological/neuroendocrine pathways linking poor parental quality during childhood and the increased risk for mental health disorders later in life (for a review, see Repetti et al., 2002 ; Taylor et al., 2004 ). Also, children develop relationship schemas from their parental attachments which serve as an internalized working model for all future relationship, defined as “templates that serve as guides for interpreting emotions, perceptions, and behaviors in all future relationships ( Honig, 2008 ). The more distal factors of parental relationship quality, then, may have set the stage for current relationships that influence daily emotional experience and reactivity. Again only longitudinal studies can establish the temporal relationships of these mechanisms that potentially link childhood experiences to later emotion-related outcomes.
Limitations notwithstanding, the current study is the first to examine the relationship between relationships with parents during childhood with psychological distress and stressor reactivity in adulthood. Findings suggest that mother-child relationship quality continues to shape overall levels of emotional experience in daily life. These findings also underscore the importance of fathers in the lives of their sons, and that assessments of emotional experience that move beyond overall levels of emotional well-being may uncover further influences of both mother and fathers on the enduring emotional experiences of their children.
Contributor Information
Melanie H. Mallers, California State University, Fullerton
Susan T. Charles, University of California, Irvine
Shevaun D. Neupert, North Carolina State University
David. M. Almeida, Pennsylvania State University
- Adler NE, Boyce T, Chesney MA, Cohen S, Folkman S, Kahn RL, Syme SL. Socioeconomic status and health: the challenge of the gradient. American Psychologist. 1994;49:15–24. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.49.1.15. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Aldous J, Mulligan G, Bjarnason T. Fathering over time: What makes the difference? Journal of Marriage & the Family. 1998;60(4):809–820. [ Google Scholar ]
- Almeida D. Resilience and vulnerability to daily stressors assessed via diary methods. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2005;14(2):64–68. [ Google Scholar ]
- Almeida DM, Neupert SD, Banks SR, Serido J. Do daily stress processes account for socioeconomic health disparities? Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences. 2005;60B(Special Issue II):34–39. doi: 10.1093/geronb/60.special_issue_2.s34. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Almeida DM, Wethington E, Kessler RC. The daily inventory of stressful events: An interview-based approach for measuring daily stressors. Assessment. 2002;9:41–55. doi: 10.1177/1073191102091006. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Ainsworth MD. The Development of Infant-Mother Attachment. In: Caldwell BM, Ricciuti HN, editors. Review of Child Development Research. Vol. 3. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press; 1973. [ Google Scholar ]
- Amato PR. Father involvement and the self-esteem of children and adolescents. Australian Journal of Sex Marriage & Family. 1986;7:6–16. [ Google Scholar ]
- Amato PR. Father-child relations, mother-child relations, and offspring psychological well-being in early adulthood. Journal of Marriage and the Family. 1994;56:1031–1042. [ Google Scholar ]
- Antonucci TC, Akiyama H. Social networks in adult life and a preliminary examination of the convoy model. Journal of Gerontology. 1987;42:519–527. doi: 10.1093/geronj/42.5.519. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Antonucci T, Akiyama H, Takahashi K. Attachment and close relationships across the life span. Attachment & Human Development. 2004;6(4):353–370. doi: 10.1080/1461673042000303136. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Aquilino WS. From adolescent to young adult: A prospective study of parent-child relations during the transition to adulthood. Journal of Marriage and the Family. 1997;59:670–686. [ Google Scholar ]
- Arnup K. Lesbian parenting: Living with pride and prejudice. Charlottetown PEI, Canada: Synergy Press; 1995. [ Google Scholar ]
- Barrett H, Tasker F. Growing up with a gay parent: Views of 101 gay fathers on their sons' and daughters' experiences. Educational and Child Psychology. 2001;18:62–77. [ Google Scholar ]
- Baumrind D. New directions in socialization research. American Psychologist. 1980;35(7):639–652. [ Google Scholar ]
- Biller HB. Paternal deprivation. Lexington, MA: Heath; 1974. [ Google Scholar ]
- Biller HB. Fathers and families: Paternal factors in child development. Westport, CT: 1993. [ Google Scholar ]
- Biller HB, Solomon RS. Child maltreatment and paternal deprivation. Lexington, MA: Heath; 1986. [ Google Scholar ]
- Blankenhorn D. Fathers in America. New York: Basic Books; 1995. [ Google Scholar ]
- Bolger N, DeLongis A, Kessler RC, Schilling EA. Effects of daily stress on negative mood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1989;57:808–818. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.57.5.808. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Bolger N, Zuckerman A. A framework for studying personality in the stress process. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1995;69:890–902. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.69.5.890. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Bowlby J. Attachment and loss, Vol.I. Attachment. 2nd ed. New York: Basic Books; 1969. [ Google Scholar ]
- Bowlby J. Attachment and loss: Retrospect and prospect. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 1982;52:664–678. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-0025.1982.tb01456.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Brewin CR, Gotlib AH. Pscyhopathology and early experience: A reappraisal of retrospective reports. Psychological Bulletin. 1993;113:82–98. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.113.1.82. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Brim OG, Ryff CD, Kessler R, editors. How healthy are we: A national study of wellbeing in midlife. Chicago: Univ. Chicago Press; 2004. [ Google Scholar ]
- Charles ST, Almeida DM. Genetic and environmental effects on daily life stressors: More evidence for greater variation in later life. Psychology and Aging. 2007;22:331–340. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.22.2.331. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Clarke-Stewart KA. And daddy makes three: The father's impact on mother and young child. Child Development. 1978;49:466–478. [ Google Scholar ]
- Coltrane S. Fathering: Paradoxes, contradictions, and dilemmas. In: Coleman M, Ganong L, editors. Handbook of contemporary families: Considering the past, contemplating the future. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2004. pp. 224–243. [ Google Scholar ]
- Davey A, Tucker CJ, Fingerman KL, Savla JS. Within-family variability in representations of past relationships with parents. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences. 2009;64:125–136. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbn001. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Dempsey K. Men's share of child care: A rural and urban comparison. Journal of Family Studies. 2000;6(2):245–266. [ Google Scholar ]
- Diehl M, Elnick AB, Bourbeau LS, Labouvie-Vief G. Adult attachment styles: Their relations to family context and personality. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1998;74:1656–1669. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.74.6.1656. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Doherty WJ, Kouneski EF, Erickson MF. Responsible fathering: An overview and conceptual framework. Journal of Marriage & Family. 1998;60:277–292. [ Google Scholar ]
- Easterbrooks M, Goldberg W. Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention. Chicago, IL US: University of Chicago Press; 1990. Security of toddler-parent attachment: Relation to children's sociopersonality functioning during kindergarten; pp. 221–244. [ Google Scholar ]
- Fagan JA. Correlates of low-income African American and Puerto Rican fathers' involvement with their children. Journal of Black Psychology. 1998;3:351–367. [ Google Scholar ]
- Fagan J, Iglesias A. Father involvement program effects on fathers, father figures, and their Head Start children: A quasi-experimental study. Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 1999;14:243–269. [ Google Scholar ]
- Grzywacz JG, Almeida DM, Neupert SD, Ettner S. Socioeconomic status and health: A micro-level analysis of exposure and vulnerability to daily stressors. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 2004;45:274–288. doi: 10.1177/002214650404500101. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Harris K, Morgan S. Fathers, sons, and daughters: Differential paternal involvement in parenting. Journal of Marriage & the Family. 1991;53(3):531–544. [ Google Scholar ]
- Hawkins AJ, Dollahite DC. Generative fathering: Beyond the deficit perspective. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1997. [ Google Scholar ]
- Hawkins JD, Guo J, Hill KG, Battin-Pearson S, Abbott RD. Long term effects of the Seattle Social Development intervention on school bonding trajectories. Applied Developmental Science: special issue: Prevention as Altering the Course of Development. 2001;5:225–236. doi: 10.1207/S1532480XADS0504_04. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Honig AS. Supporting men as fathers, caregivers, and educators. Early Child Development and Care. 2008;178(7):665–687. [ Google Scholar ]
- Honig AS, Mayne G. Black fathering in three social-class groups. Ethnic Groups. 1982;4:229–238. [ Google Scholar ]
- House J, Landis KR, Umberson D. Social relationships and health. Science. 1988;41:540–545. doi: 10.1126/science.3399889. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Jacklin C, DiPietro J, Maccoby E. Sex-typing behavior and sex-typing pressure in child/parent interaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior. 1984;13(5):413–425. doi: 10.1007/BF01541427. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Kanner AD, Coyne JC, Schaefer C, Lazarus RS. Comparison of two modes of stress measurement: Daily hassles and uplifts versus major life events. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 1981;4:1–39. doi: 10.1007/BF00844845. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Kessler R, Andrews G, Colpe L, Hiripi E, Mroczek D, Normand S, Zaslavsky AM. Short screening scales to monitor population prevalence and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine. 2002;32(6):959–976. doi: 10.1017/s0033291702006074. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Labrell F. Paternal play with toddlers: Recreation and creation. European Journal of Psychology of Education. 1996;11(1):43–54. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from PsycINFO database. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lachman ME, Weaver SL. The Midlife Development Inventory (MIDI) personality scales: Scale construction and scoring (Technical Report) Waltham, MA: Brandeis University, Department of Psychology; 1997. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lamb ME. Introduction: The emergent American father. In: Lamb ME, editor. The Father's Role: Cross-Cultural Perspectives. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum; 1987. pp. 3–25. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lamb ME. The role of the father in child development. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 1997. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from PsycINFO database. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lamb ME. The role of the father in child development. New York: Wiley; 2004. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lamb ME, Ketterlinus RD, Fracasso MP. Parent-child relationships. In: Bornstein MH, Lamb ME, editors. Developmental psychology: An advanced textbook. 3rd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum; 1992. pp. 465–518. [ Google Scholar ]
- Larsen RJ, Billings DW, Cutler SE. Affect intensity and individual differences in informational style. Journal of Personality. 1996;64:185–207. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00819.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Larsen RJ, Kasimatis M. Individual differences in entrainment of mood to the weekly calendar. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1990;58:164–171. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.58.1.164. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Lazarus RS, DeLongis A. Psychological stress and coping process. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1983. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lazarus RS, Folkman S. Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer; 1984. [ Google Scholar ]
- Lehman BJ, Taylor SE, Kiefe CI, Seeman TE. Relationship of early life stress and psychological functioning to blood pressure in the CARDIA study. Health Psychology. 2009;28:338–346. doi: 10.1037/a0013785. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Levine JA, Murphy DT, Wilson S. Getting men involved: Strategies for early childhood programs. New York: Scholastics; 1993. [ Google Scholar ]
- Liu YL. An examination of three models of the relationships between parental attachments and adolescents' social functioning and depressive symptoms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 2008;37:941–952. [ Google Scholar ]
- Mallers MH, Almeida DM, Neupert SD. Women's daily physical health symptoms and stressful experiences across adulthood. Psychology and Health. 2005;20:389–403. [ Google Scholar ]
- Marks LD, Palkovitz R. American fatherhood types: The good, the bad the uninterested. Fathering. 2004;2:113–129. [ Google Scholar ]
- Marks NF, Shinberg DS. Socioeconomic status differences in hormone therapy. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1998;148:581–593. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a009684. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Marmot M, Ryff C, Bumpass L, Shipley M, Marks N. Social inequalities in health: Next questions and converging evidence. Social Science and Medicine. 1997;44:901–910. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(96)00194-3. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Martin A. Clinical issues in psychotherapy with lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-parented families. In: Patterson CJ, D'Augelli AR, editors. Lesbian, gay, bisexual identities in families: Psychological perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press; 1998. pp. 270–291. [ Google Scholar ]
- Medalie JH, Goldbourt U. Angina pectoris among 10,000 men: Psychosocial and other risk factors. AmJMed. 1976;60:910–921. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(76)90921-9. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Mischel, Shoda, Peake The nature of adolescent competencies predicted by preschool delay of gratification. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1988;54:687–696. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.54.4.687. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Morman MT, Floyd K. A 'changing culture of fatherhood': Effects on affectionate communication, closeness, and satisfaction in men's relationships with their fathers and their sons. Western Journal of Communication. 2002;66:395–411. [ Google Scholar ]
- Morris JF, Balsam KF, Rothblum ED. Lesbian and bisexual mothers and nonmothers: Demographics and the coming-out process. Developmental Psychology. 2002;16:144–156. doi: 10.1037//0893-3200.16.2.144. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Mroczek DK, Almeida DM. The effect of daily stress, personality, and age on daily negative affect. Journal of Personality. 2004;72:355–378. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-3506.2004.00265.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Mroczek D, Kolarz C. The effect of age on positive and negative affect: A developmental perspective on happiness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1998;75(5):1333–1349. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.75.5.1333. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Nezlek JB. Multilevel random coefficient analyses of event- and interval-contingent data in social and personality psychology research. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2001;27:771–785. [ Google Scholar ]
- Nord CW, Brimhall D, West U. Fathers' involvement in their children's schools. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education; 1997. ED 409125. [ Google Scholar ]
- Paquette D. Theorizing the father-child relationship: mechanisms and developmental outcomes. Human Development. 2004;47:193–219. [ Google Scholar ]
- Parke RD. Fatherhood. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; 1996. [ Google Scholar ]
- Parke RD, Tinsley BJ. Parent-infant interaction. In: Osofsky J, editor. Handbook of Infancy. New York: Wiley; 1987. pp. 579–641. [ Google Scholar ]
- Parker G, Tupling H, Brown LB. A parental bonding instrument. British Journal of Medical Psychology. 1979;52:1–10. [ Google Scholar ]
- Pearlin LI, Lieberman MA, Menaghan E, Mullan JT. The stress process. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1981;22:337–356. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Pearlin LJ, Schooler C. The structure of coping. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1978;19:2–21. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Pleck J. The role of the father in child development. 3 rd ed. Hoboken, NJ US: John Wiley & Sons Inc.; 1997. Paternal involvement: Levels, sources, and consequences; pp. 66–103. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from PsycINFO database. [ Google Scholar ]
- Pleck EH, Pleck JH. Fatherhood ideals in the United States: Historical dimensions. In: Lamb ME, editor. The role of the father in child development. 3rd ed. New York: Wiley; 1997. pp. 33–48. [ Google Scholar ]
- Prenda KM, Lachman ME. Planning for the future: A life management strategy for increasing control and life satisfaction in adulthood. Psychology & Aging. 2001;16:206–216. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Radin N. Primary caregiving and role-sharing fathers of preschoolers. In: Lamb ME, editor. Nontraditional families: Parenting and child development. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum; 1982. pp. 173–204. [ Google Scholar ]
- Raudenbush SW, Bryk AS. Hierarchical Linear Models: Applications and Data Analysis Methods. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2002. [ Google Scholar ]
- Repetti RL, Taylor SE, Seeman TE. Risky families: Family social environments and the mental and physical health of offspring. Psychological Bulletin. 2002;128:230–366. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Roberts R, Bengtson V. Affective ties to parents in early adulthood and self-esteem across 20 years. Social Psychology Quarterly. 1996;59(1):96–106. [ Google Scholar ]
- Rossi AS, Rossi PH. Of human bonding: Parent-child relations across the life course. New York: Aldine de Gruyter; 1990. [ Google Scholar ]
- Rossi AS. Caring and doing for others: Social responsibility in the domains of family, work, and community. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2001. [ Google Scholar ]
- Russek LG, Schwartz GE. Narrative descriptions of parental love and caring predict health status in midlife: A 35-year follow-up of the Harvard Mastery of Stress Study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 1996;2:55–62. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Russek LG, Schwartz GE. Feelings of parental caring predict health status in midlife: A 35-year follow-up of the Harvard Mastery of Stress Study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 1997;20:1–13. doi: 10.1023/a:1025525428213. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Saracho ON, Spodek B. Fathers: the 'invisible' parents. Early Child Development and Care. 2008;178:821–836. [ Google Scholar ]
- Seeman TE, Syme LS. Social networks and coronary artery disease: A comparison of the structure and function of social relations as predictors of disease. Psychosomatic Medicine. 1987;49:341–354. doi: 10.1097/00006842-198707000-00003. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Shaw B, Krause N, Chatters L, Connell C, Ingersoll-Dayton B. Social structural influences on emotional support from parents early in life and adult health status. Behavioral Medicine. 2003;29:68–79. doi: 10.1080/08964280309596059. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Shaw B, Krause N, Chatters L, Connell C, Ingersoll-Dayton B. Emotional Support from Parents Early in Life, Aging, and Health. Psychology and Aging. 2004;19(1):4–12. doi: 10.1037/0882-7974.19.1.4. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Shumaker SA, Czajkowski SM, editors. Social support and cardiovascular disease. New York: Plenum Press; 1994. [ Google Scholar ]
- Siegal M. Are sons and daughters treated more differently by fathers than by mothers? Developmental Review. 1987;7(3):183–209. [ Google Scholar ]
- Starrels M. Gender differences in parent-child relations. Journal of Family Issues. 1994;15:148–156. [ Google Scholar ]
- Staudinger UM, Fleeson W, Baltes PB. Predictors of subjective physical health and global well-being: Similarities between the United States and Germany. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1999;76:305–319. [ Google Scholar ]
- Suls J, Green P, Hillis S. Emotional reactivity to everyday problems, affective inertia, and neuroticism. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 1998;24:127–136. [ Google Scholar ]
- Suls J, Martin R. The daily life of the garden variety neurotic: Problem exposure, hyperreactivity, mood spillover and maladaptive coping. Journal of Personality. 2005;73:493–500. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2005.00356.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Tamis-LeMonda CS, Shannon JD, Cabrera N, Lamb M. Fathers and mothers at play with their 2- and 3-year-olds: Contributions to language and cognitive development. Child Development. 2004;75:1806–1820. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00818.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Taylor S, Lerner J, Sage R, Lehman B, Seeman T. Early environment, emotions, responses to stress, and health. Journal of Personality. 2004;72(6):1365–1393. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00300.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Tennen H, Suls J, Affleck G. Personality and daily experience: The promise and the challenge. Journal of Personality. 1991;59:313–336. [ Google Scholar ]
- Turner HA, Muller PA. Long-term effects of child corporal punishment on depressive symptoms in young adults. Journal of Family Issues. 2004;25:761–782. [ Google Scholar ]
- Umberson D. Relationships between adult children and their parents: Psychological consequences for both generations. Journal of Marriage & the Family. 1992;54:664–674. [ Google Scholar ]
- Watson D, Pennebaker JW. Health complaints, stress, and distress: Exploring the central role of Negative Affectivity. Psychological Review. 1989;96:234–254. doi: 10.1037/0033-295x.96.2.234. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Wickrama KAS, Lorenz FO, Conger RD. Parental support and adolescent health: A growth curve analysis. Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 1997;38:149–163. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- Yongman MW, Kindlon D, Earls F. Father involvement and cognitive/behavioral outcomes of preterm infants. Journal of American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1995;34:58–66. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199501000-00015. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
- View on publisher site
- PDF (545.0 KB)
- Collections
Similar articles
Cited by other articles, links to ncbi databases.
- Download .nbib .nbib
- Format: AMA APA MLA NLM
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
In this essay, I have discussed the role that my mother and father have played in my life and why they are so important to me. Though very childishly I have had disagreements with them from time to time, but I owe them a tremendous amount for all they have done for me over the years.
250 Words Essay on Why My Mom And Dad Are The Greatest My Mom: The Heart of Our Home. My mom is the heart of our home. She's always there for us, no matter what. She's the one who makes us feel loved and safe. She's the one who listens to our problems and always knows how to make us feel better. She's the one who takes care of us when ...
The Role of Mother & Father in our Life. The love of mother is simply matchless. Soon after we come home after school is up, we always find our mother standing at the gate of our house. We feel very pleased and my mother hugs all of us. Read Also: My Father Essays & Paragraphs For Students. She take great care of our health.
My mother and father never battle and they treat everybody, even those they don't know, with appreciate and dignity. My heroes have been examples for me given that I used to be a little kid. My parents taught me how to respect others by being form to others, and when your round a constant top environment, you tend to choose up these accurate ...
This essay is too short, 190 words instead of the minimum requirement of 250. It doesn't say anything about girls being influenced by their mothers, which is also a part of the task - therefore the task is only partially covered. ... 1 thought on "IELTS Essay, topic: the mother's and father's role in a family" ...
Parents are the closest people that we have in our lives, whether we realize it or not. They love us not because we are smart, beautiful, successful or we have a good sense of humour, but just because we are their children. I, too, love mom and dad simply because they are my parents, but I think I would have felt the same even if they weren't.
Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas. My Father. While my mother is always working at home, my father is the one who works outside. He is a kind human who always helps out my mother whenever he can. He is a loving man who helps out the needy too. My father is a social person who interacts with our neighbours too.
This often comes from overworked, underappreciated, stressed-out parents. While the father is snoring loudly, the mom has to stay up with the baby. On the other hand, while the father is working 40+ hours at a job, the mother is at home watching TV. If that is the case, have a conversation about switching some of the roles you do.
The perfections that stand out most incisively in my mother's character are her dedication and self-devotion. The strength of her principles is obvious in the way in which she raised seven kids with seven different characters; she has had difficulties in cooking, feeding, washing, looking after my ill grandmother and helping my father in his business.
The quality of parenting one receives during childhood has lasting effects on health and well-being (e.g., Shaw, Krause, Chatter, Connell & Ingersoll-Dayton, 2004).Parent-child relationship quality is often assessed by asking respondents about childhood experiences such as the level and quality of support, nurturance and affection they received from their parents.