Dr. Gülçin Con Wright's Article Title "Gendered Patterns of Support: The Interdependence of Mothering and Fathering in Adult Child Relationships in the United States"
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Dr. Gülçin Con Wright's article titled "Gendered Patterns of Support: The Interdependence of Mothering and Fathering in Adult Child Relationships in the United States" was published in the Marriage & Family Review journal on June 1, 2026.
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Abstract
Past research has examined gender differences between mothers’ and fathers’ ties with their adult children but not how these ties are interdependent. Through semi-structured interviews with 34 American parents − 23 mothers and 11 fathers, this study explores how support is initiated among married couples and their attitudes toward spousal involvement. Findings revealed that mothers initiated childcare of grandchildren and emotional support more than fathers, while fathers provided financial assistance. Mothers in this study encouraged their husbands’ involvement in childcare whereas fathers’ initiation of financial support was seen by wives as less open to mutual involvement. This study contributes to our understanding of parent-adult child relationships by highlighting the gendered patterns in parental support and the interconnections between mothers’ and fathers’ support to their adult children.
Keywords
Gender, Initiation, Parent-adult child ties, Spousal involvement, Support