The Change in Parenting Style over a Period of Two Decades

¹Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Dr N D Desai Faculty of Medical Science, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India

²Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Dr N D Desai Faculty of Medical Science and Research, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat, India

³Professor Emirates, Department of Psychiatry, Parul institute of Medical Science and Research, Parul University, Vadodara, India

⁴Doctor, Ahmedabad, India

^*Corresponding Author: Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Dr N D Desai Faculty of Medical Science, Dharmsinh Desai University, Nadiad, Gujarat,, India, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: June 17, 2026

Published Date: August 28, 2026

Citation: Hemang S, et al. (2026). The Change in Parenting Style over a Period of Two Decades. Mathews J Psychiatry Ment Health. 11(2):66.

Copyrights: Hemang S, et al. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Background: Child-rearing practices have a significant influence on behavioral development across the lifespan, affecting childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Aims and objectives: To understand pattern in parenting knowledge about child rearing over two decades.

Material and Method: This study utilized a repeated cross-sectional survey design across three independent cohorts of parents in 2001 (n=194), 2011 (n=245), and 2024 (n=330) within the same primary school setting. Data were collected using a validated 25-item Gujarati child-rearing questionnaire from pparents of children studying in grade 1 to 4 in a primary school.

Analysis: Categorical demographic variables and item-level responses were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-Square (χ²) tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (α = 0.002). Overall knowledge scores were analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) post-hoc test.

Results: Continuous parenting attitude scores did not differ significantly between 2001 (M = 18.38, SD = 3.02) and 2011 (M = 18.47, SD = 2.98; p = .92). However, total scores in 2024 (M = 17.78, SD = 3.08) were significantly lower than in 2001 (p = .041) and 2011 (p = .011). Over two decades, significant positive shifts occurred regarding peer comparison avoidance and maternal-paternal shared discipline roles. Conversely, negative shifts were observed in parental consistency, overprotection, and restricting adolescent autonomy.

Implication: Parental attitudes showed domain-specific shifts over two decades. While gender-role stereotypes and peer comparisons decreased, overprotection and strict disciplinary attitudes increased. Structured parenting education interventions are recommended to foster positive, evidence-based child-rearing practices.

Keywords: Child Rearing, Parenting, Change in Trend, India