The Case for Targeted Parenting Interventions with Reference to Intergenerational Transmission of Parenting: Qualitative Evidence from Three Studies of Marginalised Mothers’ and Fathers’ Participation in Parenting Programmes

Abstract

The idea that how you were parented is key to how you parent your own children is widely recognisable. It is present in popular cultural references, underpins much policy on families and parenting in the UK, and is supported by a substantive body of academic literature. We explore this concept of intergenerational transmission of parenting, understanding it as the context in which parenting interventions have been implemented. We draw on interview data from three Scottish samples of marginalised parents (n = 54) to explore how participants think their own parenting behaviours have been shaped by their experience of being parented and how they talk about participation in a parenting intervention in relation to this. We find that how these parents have been parented is salient in considering their own parenting behaviour, and is a key context for their engagement with the intervention. We make the case for parenting interventions targeted at marginalised parents, arguing that they are acceptable to, and useful for, these parents and may, potentially, be effective in breaking cycles of negative parenting. Policy-makers should not shy away from implementing targeted parenting programmes as part of endeavours to address negative parenting.

Effects of a preventive parenting intervention for bereaved families on the intergenerational transmission of parenting attitudes: Mediating processes

“…Direct effects: physical punishment attitudes Buston et al (2022) recently called for interventions that can break the cycle of negative parenting. Our findings show that the relatively brief FBP, which focused on improving parent-child relationship quality and effective discipline as well as promoting child competencies, led to less favorable attitudes toward physical punishment.…”

Addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights with men in prisons: co-production and feasibility testing of a relationship, sexuality and future fatherhood education programme

“…However, owing to high levels of school attrition and exclusion among prison populations, many young men in prison lose out on the opportunity of RSE generally afforded to young people ( Fields and Toquinto, 2016 ). Young men in prison also report the lack of involvement with positive male roles in their lives including the role-modelling of positive intimate relationships and involved fatherhood ( Buston et al , 2020 ).…”

“…Reported in the scientific literature are evaluations of interventions which do partially address male prison populations’ needs for RSE. Most notably, parenting interventions are increasingly common, and research shows that young fathers in prisons enthusiastically engage with parenting education, and delivery of such courses addresses problems faced by this marginalised group and their families ( Armstrong et al , 2017 ; Buston et al , 2020 ; McAllister et al , 2012 ; Meek, 2007 ). However, existing research shows that parenting programmes are offered to those who are already fathers and focus on parenting elements of RSE, rather than as an early intervention with those who are not yet fathers ( Buston et al , 2012 ).…”