Abstract
I examined (a) the similarities and differences in parenting styles and paternal involvement within and between African American and Puerto Rican American parent groups and (b) the relationship between mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles, child care involvement, and Head Start children’s social competence. The findings documented similarities between African American mother and father self-reports of parenting behavior and between Puerto Rican American mother and father reports of these behaviors. Puerto Rican American parents reported being significantly more nurturant and responsive/consistent than African American parents. Puerto Rican American mothers and fathers who reported higher levels of responsiveness/consistency had children whose Head Start teachers rated them as having higher levels of social competence. There was no significant relationship between parental responsiveness/ consistency and child behavior for African American families.
Recommended Citation
Fagan, Jay
(2000)
"African American and Puerto Rican American
Parenting Styles, Paternal Involvement, and
Head Start Children’s Social Competence,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 46:
Iss.
4, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol46/iss4/5