Human values behind intensive parenting

Abstract Intensive parenting (IP) is a contemporary parenting norm that emphasizes investing in children for their optimal growth and often strains parental resources. It demands centering family life around children and providing them with stimulating environments. Previous studies predominantly link IP to socioeconomic factors, overlooking its psychological determinants. Our research explores how support for IP is tied to individuals’ value systems. We use data from CRONOS online survey, conducted as a part of the European Social Survey (ESS) in 2016–2018. It covered over 1,500 people aged 18 and older. The survey included items that allowed the measurement of two central dimensions of IP: child-centeredness and stimulation (dependent variables in our study). To measure individuals’ values (our explanatory variables), we use ESS Schwartz’s value scale. Our analyses also controlled for key socioeconomic variables (country, sex, age, education, parity). Regression analysis reveals that tradition and security values positively correlate with both dimensions of intensive parenting, highlighting motivations to preserve traditions and ensure a secure future for children. Centering family’s life around children is additionally linked to benevolence, while the stimulation dimension – to achievement and (negatively) to universalism. This suggests that different aspects of IP may be motivated to some extent differently. Highlights • Childrearing standard of intensive parenting (IP) is tied to human values. • Importance of tradition and security is a shared core for different aspects of IP. • Child-centeredness ties additionally to caring for family wellbeing. • Providing children with stimulation appears to be additionally fueled by the need of achievement. • Depending on how IP is motivated, it may carry different consequences for children and parents.