Presented by Alice Davidson, PhD for Faculty Day of Scholarship

Gentle parenting, which emphasizes high levels of emotion regulation and affection between parents and children, has gained significant attention in recent years. However, it was only recently studied systematically. Alice Davidson and Dr. Annie Pezalla conducted the first empirical study on gentle parenting, focusing on the practices and challenges faced by gentle parents in urban areas across the U.S. The study revealed that while many self-identified gentle parents prioritized emotional regulation, some reported feelings of burnout, particularly among mothers. In an expanded phase of the study in summer 2024, the research investigated how fathers, many of whom did not fit the traditional "gentle" parenting stereotype, approached the practice. Surprisingly, many of these fathers were firm yet satisfied in their parenting, contrasting with some mothers who felt self-critical. This session will discuss these findings, which challenge the assumptions about gentle parenting and suggest a more nuanced understanding of the practice.