Perceptions of Parenting, Parent-Child Activities and Children’s Extracurricular Activities in Times of COVID-19

• Published in: Journal of child and family studies 2022-02, Vol.31 (2), p.409-420
• Main Authors: Ilari, Beatriz, Cho, Eun, Li, Jialin, Bautista, Alfredo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic disciplines; Art Activities; Arts; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Child Rearing; Children; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cultivation; Emotions; Extracurricular activities; Homework; Music; Original Paper; Pandemics; Parent Role; Parents & parenting; Perceptions; Positive Attitudes; Positive emotions; Productivity; Psychology; Questionnaires; Self Efficacy; Social distance; Social distancing; Social Sciences; Sociology; Suffering
• ISSN: 1062-1024; 1573-2843
• DOI: 10.1007/s10826-021-02171-3

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of parenting and parent-child activities in American families with children aged 0–16 after social distance measures were put in place. Through an online questionnaire, we examined the extent to which parental role, age, education, and perceptions of work productivity impacted parent perceptions of six parenting categories (positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, positive relationships, positive emotions, self-efficacy, and routine management) during the initial months of the pandemic. We also examined children’s participation in extracurricular activities, before and after measures of social distancing were implemented. Perceptions of parenting did not differ based on parental roles, education and age, but work productivity had an impact on parents’ perceptions of their own feelings and emotions. Parents who described themselves as highly productive reported higher scores for positive emotions, suggesting a link between work and parental wellbeing. A discrepancy was found between the activities that parents liked and disliked doing with their children, with homework and academic activities being the least liked of all. Children’s participation in extracurricular activities was also significantly reduced after social distancing was mandated, with arts activities (music in particular) suffering the least amount of reduction. Findings are discussed considering earlier studies on parenting during COVID-19 and concerted cultivation. Implications for future parenting research are outlined. Highlights Online questionnaire with American parents during the initial months of the pandemic. Parents who perceived themselves as more productive at work showed higher ratings for positive emotions. Homework and academic activities were rated as the least-liked activities that parents did with their children after social distancing was mandated. There was a significant reduction of extracurricular activities following “safer at home” measures, with the arts (music) suffering the least amount of reduction.