Can the parenting quality of fathers be affected from criticism?
| Sep 5, 2018, 16:59 IST
A new study has found that the way a mother reacts to her baby's father's parenting skills can have a serious impact on the father's parenting quality. Her attitude may improve or hinder the way he functions as a father. "The behaviours of mothers can shape how fathers interact with their children. Mothers may not even be aware of how their criticisms of the father may end up negatively influencing how they parent," said lead author Lauren Altenburger from The Ohio State University in the US.
"If fathers feel their partners don't have confidence in their parenting, they may withdraw and become less positive and sensitive with their child." 182 couples were assessed twice, once when their child was 3 months old and once when their child was 9 months old, for this study. "Many fathers may be more vulnerable to criticism than mothers are because there is still less support in our society for fathers as active, involved parents," said Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, Professor at the varsity. Altenburger said: "It is about giving fathers the space to parent, too. Both parents need to keep communication open and not be so quick to criticise."
Stay tuned for more updates.
"If fathers feel their partners don't have confidence in their parenting, they may withdraw and become less positive and sensitive with their child." 182 couples were assessed twice, once when their child was 3 months old and once when their child was 9 months old, for this study. "Many fathers may be more vulnerable to criticism than mothers are because there is still less support in our society for fathers as active, involved parents," said Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, Professor at the varsity. Altenburger said: "It is about giving fathers the space to parent, too. Both parents need to keep communication open and not be so quick to criticise."
Stay tuned for more updates.