SELF-CONCEPT AND CHILDHOOD PERCEPTION OF PARENTING GUIDELINES

Abstract

The importance of self-concept in the development of boys and girls has been widely investigated. However, there are few and recent research that investigates the relationship between self-concept and childhood perception of parenting patterns. The main objective of this article is to contribute with new knowledge to the study of the self-concept of children and their relationship with the perception of parenting practices of their mothers, fathers and/or caregivers. The sample consisted of boys and girls of school age, belonging to urban areas of Argentina (M=9.58, DE=1.71). Instruments were administered to investigate aspects related to the ways of perceiving and valuing themselves, and the characteristics that they attribute to the attitudes and behaviors of their fathers and mothers. Significant relationships were found between the dimensions of support and perceived parental control and self-concept. The more support they perceive, the greater their positive self-concept and the greater the perception of control, the lower their positive self-concept. It is concluded that rigid parental control would function as antagonistic or differentiated from the perception of parental support by children, highlighting the importance of carrying out interventions in this type of relationship.