Perceived Mother–Father Dyad Parenting Typologies Across Four Regions in the United States

Abstract

Although much research has investigated parenting styles, few studies have examined parenting across regions of the United States. The current study used a nationwide sample to examine perceived maternal and paternal parenting in four regions of the United States: Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. Participants included 1080 emerging adults who answered questionnaires regarding their perceptions of maternal and paternal parenting styles using an online survey. In all regions, the largest profile indicated a parenting style of High Authoritative/Authoritarian and Moderate Permissive mothers and fathers. Similarly, all regions indicated profiles that were High or Very High Authoritarian mothers and fathers. All regions except the West had a profile with High Authoritative mothers and High or Very High Authoritarian fathers. The Northeast, South, and West also had unique profiles found only in those regions. Thus, results indicate similarities as well as distinct differences in parenting style across regions of the United States.