A Comparative Study of Generative Fathering and Parenting Styles by Korean and American Fathers

생산적인 아버지 노릇 및 양육방식에 관한 비교문화적 연구 : 한국과 미국 아버지를 대상으로

This study compared generative fathering and parenting styles of 90 Korean and 73 American fathers who had a child 3 to 5 years of age. The data were collected through questionnaires on generative fathering, parenting styles, and father-child relationships. Results showed that Korean fathers were more involved in child rearing and perceived their parental responsibilities more strongly than American fathers; American fathers showed authoritative parenting and Korean fathers showed authoritarian parenting styles; among American fathers, the warmth factor contributed to the closeness between father and child; among Korean fathers, the control factor showed a negative relationship with conflict between father and child. These results suggest that the function of father's control in child development might vary by cultural contexts.