Conformity to Parental Rules: Asymmetric Influences of Father's and Mother's Levels of Education

Abstract

The relative effects of both parents' educational levels on their child‐rearing values were examined by analysing data from a sample of Dutch families (N=589). This research focuses upon dominance of fathers over mothers with respect to the value placed on children's conformity to parental rules. We argue that for this kind of research ‘diagonal reference models’ are preferred. Application of these models shows asymmetric patterns of influence, i.e. ‘male dominance’: wives' child‐rearing values are more in line with their husband's educational level than with own educational attainment. Mothers' adjustment is even more pronounced in the case of family conflict.