AUTENTIČNOST RODITELJA
AUTHENTICITY OF PARENTS

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this research was to determine whether there is a connection between the authenticity of a parent and his/her authenticity in relationship, the length of marriage, the number of children, the average age of the children, the satisfaction with relationship, and the satisfaction with a partner’s support. The sample consisted of 32 married couples who were parents (N = 64). The authenticity of parents and their authenticity in their relationship was the subject of research. The results show that parents who have younger children and are more satisfied with their relationship and their partner's support will live in accordance with reality (high Authentic life), and will freely, openly and naturally show their emotions, thoughts, and needs to their partners (Authenticity in relationship). Also, the results show that parents are less authentic in relationship if they accept external influences and convince themselves that all wishes and values from other people are their own (high Self-alienation). The results also show that the authenticity of the parents is not related to either the length of the marriage or the number of their children. A parent who thinks, but does not feel connected with his/her values, can express this through "I do not really know myself" (Rogers, 1961), which can also be reflected in the parental role. The child of such a parent could begin to suppress its own authenticity still in childhood and can grow into an inauthentic adult with a sense of emptiness. The authenticity of the parent as a person and his/her authenticity in a relationship are interwoven with each other, which is confirmed by the research that showed that the authentic behavior of the individual is normal in the context of emotionally significant relationships (families, partners, close friends) indicating that the readiness to be authentic could be a key factor for close relationships in which people strive for mutual exchange and the assessment of authenticity (Lopez & Rice, 2006; Grijak, 2018). This research has shown that the authenticity of parents changes with the growth of children, which might confirm that authenticity is a dynamic process where personal potentials, traits, emotions, motives, and other things are discovered, explored, accepted, interwoven with meaning, which are then realized (Rogers, 1961). Only a parent who knows how to balance the expression of their own thoughts, emotions, motives and wishes with the demands of the environment, not neglecting them, who does not suppress or substitute them for socially desirable behaviors, will be able to nurture a happy, free and confident child.

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