Perceptions of Iranian parents towards the paternal role in raising adolescent children

Abstract

In Iran, as in other nations, adolescence can be a challenging period for both parents and their children. Typically, mothers assume the main role of parenting, which can have a negative impact either directly or indirectly on paternal involvement, or conversely, play a positive role of mediation between fathers and their adolescent children. In the present study, we report on a qualitative study conducted in 2016 that explored the perceptions of Iranian parents toward the paternal role in raising adolescent children. Twenty three mothers and fathers of adolescent children were interviewed to explore their views and experiences with paternal roles in raising adolescent children. Four themes emerged from the data: (i) limited father-child interactions; (ii) mother-led parenting; (iii) father-child conflict; and (iv) united front parenting. The findings suggest that mothers maintain a prime role in parenting, but that the involvement of fathers can have a negative or positive impact on adolescent development, depending on the level and quality of that involvement. Strategies need to be explored for how parents can best support one another to engage in the development of adolescent children.

How Iranian Mothers Raise Their Adolescent Children: A Qualitative Content Analysis

“…However, in Western individualistic societies, values such as individual freedom, independent decision-making, and self-esteem are more emphasized, and low levels of control and high levels of reasoning, along with parental affection and acceptance, are usually applied [24]. Despite the fact that Iranian society has a collectivist culture [10], the practice of mothers in our study was in line with the development of adolescent independence. The reason for this contradiction might be the fact that Iranian society is on the path to modernity [10].…”

“…Despite the fact that Iranian society has a collectivist culture [10], the practice of mothers in our study was in line with the development of adolescent independence. The reason for this contradiction might be the fact that Iranian society is on the path to modernity [10]. Modernization-the expansion of urbanization, literacy, and the use of mass media-has led individuals to change their behavior according to changes in the social context, leading to a decline in some values and their replacement by new ones.…”

“…The type of parenting practice supporting independence is in contradiction to collectivist values such as self-sacri ce, loyalty, respectfulness, maintaining harmonious relationships, and prioritizing group interests [31,33]. Culturally, Iran, similar to other Middle Eastern countries, is a collectivist society [10]. In collectivist cultures, the authoritarian parenting style is more common [2,34].…”

“…In Iran, parents consider themselves responsible for their children throughout their lives (regardless of their age), and children live with their parents sometimes even after marriage [9]. Women play a key role in managing the home and raising children [10]. Besides, in Iran, families are deeply in uenced by religious teachings [9], and motherhood is one of the most important roles of a woman according to Islamic culture; to properly tend to the motherly role, many social duties and economic burden have been taken away from women, and the main task of them as mothers is to raise good children [11].…”

A Qualitative Study of Iranian Parents’ Experiences of Interacting With Their Adolescent Children

“…A companion paper reports findings relating to the perceptions of Iranian parents toward the paternal role in raising adolescent children (Rahkar Farshi et al, 2018).…”