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Summary: Written jointly by the Children's Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin and the Centre for Social and Educational Research, Dublin Institute of Technology
The purpose of this study is to explore children and young people’s perspectives on parenting styles and discipline. The study was carried out against the backdrop of changing trends in Irish society, most notably, changes in family routines and relationships. Little is known in the Irish context about children’s views of different parenting styles and, in particular, about the views of children in respect of physical punishment by their parents. This report is therefore essentially an exploratory investigation that seeks to uncover meaning and perceptions. Focus groups were the chosen method for the study since they represent an effective research method by which various issues can be explored with children and young people within a peer group setting. Moreover, the use of focus groups with children acknowledges children as experts and important informants on their perspectives. Topics discussed in the focus groups included children’s views on parenting and child roles in the family, parental control and monitoring, and parenting strategies of discipline and use of physical punishment.