The intergenerational transmission of parenting beliefs and the impact of the Supporting Father Involvement Program on parenting beliefs in western Canada

Author

Rachel H. Honig, Smith College

Publication Date

2014

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Supporting Father Involvement Program, Parenting, Parents-Services-Evaluation, Intergenerational communication, Beliefs, Intergeneration, Father involvement, Intervention

Abstract

This research examined the intergenerational transmission of parenting beliefs and the impact of the Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) program on parenting beliefs of program participants. In phone interviews, 49 participants from Western Canada were asked about parenting beliefs they hold most dear from their own growing up experience, how these beliefs influence their parenting, and if SFI strengthened or changed their beliefs. All participants had previously participated in SFI, an intervention designed to strengthen parenting, co-parenting, and couple relationships. Results from this study found the intergenerational parenting beliefs of participants to be putting the family first, discipline, unconditional love and support, and a love for learning. Participants described how their parenting beliefs helped created a closer bond within the family. SFI impacted parenting beliefs by providing a community forum to test pre-existing beliefs, helping to put values into practice, increasing sensitive parenting among parents, and strengthening beliefs; a few participants felt the program had no impact on their beliefs. This research demonstrates the prevalence of inter-generationally transmitted parenting beliefs and the specific values and beliefs of families living in Western Canada. Results indicated that through community and program support, families have the potential to increase their positive parenting behavior and strengthen pre-existing beliefs, such as father involvement, that specifically relate to the program's focus and goals.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 124 pages. Thesis (M.S.W.)-Smith College School for Social Work, 2104. Includes bibliographical references (pages 50-55)

Limited Access until August 2019

Recommended Citation

Honig, Rachel H., "The intergenerational transmission of parenting beliefs and the impact of the Supporting Father Involvement Program on parenting beliefs in western Canada" (2014). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/737