BiotechMashup

The differences in mothers’ and fathers’ interactions with their children, particularly in play situations, may influence toddlers’ associations of specific behaviors with male and female genders. According to a new study, context, gender of the parent and gender of the child combine in a complex pattern to shape parent-child interaction.

Why does a young adult choose one career, hobby or path over another -- whether it's lawyer, politician, professional athlete, environmentalist or churchgoer? Some child psychologists say genes determine the outcome; others say the driving force is upbringing. But a new child-development theory bridges the nature vs. nurture models, saying parental guidance based on a child's strengths shapes how the child turns out, say psychologists.

Fathers stumbling through child-rearing are a familiar sitcom theme. But a growing body of research is challenging the perception that dads are goofy, uncaring or incompetent caregivers. On the contrary, preliminary findings suggest their parenting skills are crucial to their kids' social and academic success, and that teamwork in parenting is the ideal.

(Springer) The differences in mothers' and fathers' interactions with their children, particularly in play situations, may influence toddlers' associations of specific behaviors with male and female genders. According to Eric Lindsey from Penn State Berks in the US, and his colleagues, context, gender of the parent and gender of the child combine in a complex pattern to shape parent-child interaction. Their findings1 are published online in Springer's journal Sex Roles.

(Southern Methodist University) Why does a young adult choose one career, hobby or path over another -- whether it's lawyer, politician, professional athlete, environmentalist or churchgoer? Some child psychologists say genes determine the outcome; others say the driving force is upbringing. But a new child-development theory bridges the nature vs. nurture models, saying parental guidance based on a child's strengths shapes how the child turns out, says psychologist George W. Holden at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Teens who were in high-quality child care settings as young children scored slightly higher on measures of academic and cognitive achievement and were slightly less likely to report acting-out behaviors than peers who were in lower-quality child care arrangements during their early years, according to the latest analysis of a long-running study.

Before they have children, men and women are approximately equally often absent from work due to illness. But after the birth of their first child, the mother has about twice as many days of absence due to illness as the father. This difference remains up until 15 years after the birth of the first child.

Parents who share caregiving for their preschool children may experience more conflict than those in which the mother is the primary caregiver, according to a new study. Results showed that couples had a stronger, more supportive co-parenting relationship when the father spent more time playing with their child. But when the father participated more in caregiving, like preparing meals for the child or giving baths, the couples were more likely to display less supportive and more undermining co-parenting behavior toward each other.

(Ohio State University) Parents who share caregiving for their preschool children may experience more conflict than those in which the mother is the primary caregiver, according to a new study. Results showed that couples had a stronger, more supportive co-parenting relationship when the father spent more time playing with their child. But when the father participated more in caregiving, like preparing meals for the child or giving baths, the couples were more likely to display less supportive and more undermining co-parenting behavior toward each other.