Doživljaj i praksa roditeljstva u različitim životnim razdobljima
The Experience and Practice of Parenting in Different Periods of Life

Summary/Abstract: The motivation for parenting, or for the need, desire, and decision for having children, is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. The interaction of these factors determines the taking part and acceptance of parental roles and the quality of the relationship with children in different periods of life. The intention of this paper is to discuss some specific aspects of parenting with regard to the developmental characteristics of parents and children. The experience and practice of parenting in adolescence differs from those in adulthood. Young people lack many resources which enable prominence of parental roles and parental commitment. During earlier adulthood the social network encourages parenting which contributes to the increasing importance of maternal or paternal identity, influencing in turn the experience of parenting and the open forms of parental behavior. The experience and practice of parenting in middle adulthood is associated with the development of generativity, making the relationships of adult parents and their children more complex. Ambivalence appears in these relationships, especially when children have not achieved an anticipated normative status (completion of education, financial independence, marriage, etc.). In old age, which is dedicated to addressing the crisis of integrity versus despair, the actual experience of parenting is associated with the evaluation of its features during earlier periods of life. The outcomes of this evaluation, as well as the quality of current relationships, determine the behavior toward adult children and the satisfaction with parenting.

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