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Exploring the concept of intensive parenting in a three-country study

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Gauthier

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Caroline Bryson

    (Bryson Purdon Social Research LLP (BPSR))

  • Luisa Fadel

    (Université catholique de Louvain)

  • Tina Haux

    (University of Kent)

  • Judith Koops

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Monika Mynarska

    (Uniwersytet Kardynała Stefana Wyszyńskiego w Warszawie)

Abstract

Background: In recent decades there has been growing interest in the concept of intensive parenting. However, the literature is mostly qualitative and based on Anglo-Saxon countries. This raises the question of how best to operationalise the concept in a wider cross-national setting. Objective: This paper aims to operationalise the theoretical concept of intensive parenting in a cross-national perspective. Methods: The data for this study come from the CROss-National Online Survey panel [CRONOS], conducted in Estonia, Great Britain, and Slovenia in 2017. The analysis is based on 18 items on norms related to raising children. Exploratory factor analyses were carried out to identify dimensions of intensive parenting. Variation by respondents’ sociodemographics for the different dimensions was also analysed. Results: The results reveal four main dimensions regarding contemporary norms of parenting: a child-centred approach, a focus on stimulating children’s development, personal responsibility to do one’s best for one’s children, and pressure to follow experts’ advice. These four dimensions were found in all three countries. Conclusions: The results partly confirm the conception of intensive parenting originally suggested by Hays (1986). They also reveal that the phenomenon is not restricted to Anglo-Saxon countries but can be operationalised in a similar way in other countries. The findings also reveal some variation by sociodemographic characteristics, but not in a systematic way. Contribution: This is the first study to use random probability population-based samples to operationalise the concept of intensive parenting in a cross-national perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Gauthier & Caroline Bryson & Luisa Fadel & Tina Haux & Judith Koops & Monika Mynarska, 2021. "Exploring the concept of intensive parenting in a three-country study," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(13), pages 333-348.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:44:y:2021:i:13
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.13
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sabino Kornrich & Frank Furstenberg, 2013. "Investing in Children: Changes in Parental Spending on Children, 1972–2007," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(1), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Anne H. Gauthier & Timothy M. Smeeding & Frank F. Furstenberg, 2004. "Are Parents Investing Less Time in Children? Trends in Selected Industrialized Countries," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 30(4), pages 647-672, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniël van Wijk & Francesco C. Billari, 2024. "Fertility Postponement, Economic Uncertainty, and the Increasing Income Prerequisites of Parenthood," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 50(2), pages 287-322, June.
    2. Ásdís Arnalds & Ari Klængur Jónsson & Sunna Símonardóttir, 2025. "The 2021 Baby Boom in Iceland: Exploring the Role of a Parental Leave Reform and the COVID-19 Pandemic," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 41(1), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Nylin, Anna-Karin & Mollborn, Stefanie & Billingsley, Sunnee, 2025. "Does intensive parenting come at the expense of parents’ health? Evidence from Sweden," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 385(C).
    4. Yu-Chin Her & Mengni Chen, 2026. "Having Fun or Having Kids? Leisure Aspirations and Attitudes Toward Parenthood in Europe," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 45(2), pages 1-21, April.
    5. Wang, Long & Heel, Martijn Van & Azadfar, Zahra & Petegem, Stijn Van & Wang, Lijun & Wang, Ying & Baetens, Imke, 2026. "Measurement invariance of the anxious protection subscale the short version of the multidimensional overprotective parenting scale (AP-s-MOPS) in Chinese and Belgian adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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