Parenting Styles: Does Society Judge Men More Harshly than Women for the Same Parenting Mistakes?
Location
CSU 201
Start Date
5-4-2010 10:00 AM
End Date
5-4-2010 12:00 PM
Student's Major
Psychology
Student's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Mentor's Name
Kristie Campana
Mentor's Department
Psychology
Mentor's College
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Description
Our research study sought to determine if there are significant differences in the way society views and subsequently judges mothers versus fathers for making the same parenting mistakes. Previous research indicates that gender stereotypes held by participants may prompt them to see women as the primary caretaker of children, and thus better suited to care for a child and make good decisions (Moon & Hoffman, 2008; Bernett et al., 2008). Unfortunately, this may also lead to men being judged more harshly for making mistakes with children. Hence, our hypothesis was that men are judged more harshly than women are for making the same mistakes. In addition, we hypothesized that women will judge the mistakes more harshly overall. To test our hypotheses, 120 participants read several vignettes in which a parent committed a parenting mistake. We created two different versions of the survey in which we alternated the names (Joe/Jessica) and identifying pronouns (he/she) in the vignettes from male parents to female parents. Each survey contained a mix of male and female parents. After reading each vignette, participants were asked to rate the parent’s behavior on a scale of one to five, one being acceptable and five being unacceptable.
Research results are pending. The findings of this study may suggest ways in which stereotypes about men and women affect reactions to their behavior; significant results may have important implications regarding how gender may affect court cases involving children.
Parenting Styles: Does Society Judge Men More Harshly than Women for the Same Parenting Mistakes?
CSU 201
Our research study sought to determine if there are significant differences in the way society views and subsequently judges mothers versus fathers for making the same parenting mistakes. Previous research indicates that gender stereotypes held by participants may prompt them to see women as the primary caretaker of children, and thus better suited to care for a child and make good decisions (Moon & Hoffman, 2008; Bernett et al., 2008). Unfortunately, this may also lead to men being judged more harshly for making mistakes with children. Hence, our hypothesis was that men are judged more harshly than women are for making the same mistakes. In addition, we hypothesized that women will judge the mistakes more harshly overall. To test our hypotheses, 120 participants read several vignettes in which a parent committed a parenting mistake. We created two different versions of the survey in which we alternated the names (Joe/Jessica) and identifying pronouns (he/she) in the vignettes from male parents to female parents. Each survey contained a mix of male and female parents. After reading each vignette, participants were asked to rate the parent’s behavior on a scale of one to five, one being acceptable and five being unacceptable.
Research results are pending. The findings of this study may suggest ways in which stereotypes about men and women affect reactions to their behavior; significant results may have important implications regarding how gender may affect court cases involving children.
Recommended Citation
Woodgate, Kimberly. "Parenting Styles: Does Society Judge Men More Harshly than Women for the Same Parenting Mistakes?." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 5, 2010.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2010/oral-session-02/4
