Cultural differences in parenting styles and their effects on teens' self-esteem, perceived parental relationship satisfaction, and self-satisfaction

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It is commonly understood that adolescence can be a time when teens attempt to reconcile their own desires and needs with the wishes of their parents. While some adolescents get through this period of time without many problems, others tend to experience many negative effects. It is possible that the parent’s role in the relationship may play a part in the development of teenager’s self-esteem and self-satisfaction. Cultural values such as the Asian American emphasis on interdependence and family harmony may influence the type of parenting style these parents may choose to adopt. A study was performed with 156 teenagers from central New Jersey to determine the effects of parenting styles on teenagers’ self-esteem and overall satisfaction with their parents and themselves. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between race and authoritative parenting style, however, significant differences were found in that Asian American parents tended to be more authoritarian than their Caucasian counterparts. Furthermore, authoritative parenting was found to be associated with higher self esteem and satisfaction. Findings from the study are discussed in terms of the impact of cultural expectations on adolescents’ satisfaction with self and with their parents.