Exploring the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles among parents from the west of Ireland

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to explore the levels of intergenerational transmission of parenting styles among Irish parents from the West of Ireland. Levels of intergenerational transmission will be measure using 5 pen and paper questionnaires. Data will be gathered from 120 members of the general public from the Counties of Sligo, Mayo and Leitrim. This investigation is a between subjects design using both retrospective and current data. Sixty questionnaires will be distributed to small businesses and 60 to neighbours and extended family of the experimenter. The results showed significant levels of authoritative parenting in the participant's parents and significant levels of authoritative parenting in the participants themselves, concluding that the theory of intergenerational transmission is supported by the research. There were also significant gender and age differences.