Abstract
The present research examined the relationship between parenting practices and children's characteristics. Specifically, the study focused on the children's characteristics, such as age, gender, birth order, and family structure, which influence parenting practices and have an impact on children's family relations, school performance, social competence, and children's self-esteem. The sample consisted of 336 Greek-speaking parents who had children age six up to twelve years old. Most of the participating parents were mothers (77%), with an average age of 35,7 +5,18. A large majority of the participants (75%) were a part of two parents-family, and 25% were a one parent-family. Parents answered four self-report questionnaires: Α Personal Information Form (PIF) was used to collect information about family and children's characteristics, the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ-mother and father version), the Parental Authority Styles (PAQ) Questionnaire and the Children's Family Relations, School Performance, Social Competence, and Self-Esteem Questionnaire. Research results showed that children's characteristics (gender, age, and birth order) are significantly related to parents' parenting styles. Furthermore, the family structure (one or two parents - family) was statistically significant in parenting practices. As a result, parenting practices affected children's family relations, social competence, school performance, and self-esteem.
 
 <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0734/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>
Highlights
We examined whether children's characteristics, such as age, gender, and birth order, affected parenting practices
Research results showed that children’s characteristics are significantly related to the parenting styles that parents adopt
Our findings showed that parents tended to neglect more their youngest children and applied more authoritative parenting practices to their daughters than their sons
Summary
According to Buss and Plomin (1984), children's development and personality are affected by environmental and cultural influences, heredity, individuality, and temperament. Research findings support that children's temperamental characteristics and interactions with the environment, initially with the family environment, shape their personality (Dimitriou, 2012). Support could help reduce stress levels and coping better in various stressful situations. Families with high levels of social support maintain greater well-being and a better quality of life. Mothers who showed more affection and tenderness towards their children promoted significant social support and higher self-esteem in their offspring
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
