Mums Not Sparing the Rod With Kids, Dads Are

Dads are no longer the strict disciplinarians they were in the '50s and '60s and are more likely to let children get away with bad behaviour, according to a new study.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies report shows mums are more likely to explain the reasons for discipline and follow through on household rules, reports the Daily Telegraph.

"Mothers tended to be slightly, but significantly, more consistent than fathers, with higher percentages never or less than half the time allowing their children to get away with things or escape a punishment," the authors found.

"Mothers were more likely to ensure their child complied with an instruction or request, or to follow through with a punishment after a warning had been given," they said.

The report, based on responses from 3687 fathers and nearly 4000 mothers, found that mums in couple families tended to display more hostility towards their children than dads and were more likely to lose their temper.

But mums were also more likely to hug or kiss their child, feel close to them and enjoy spending time with them than fathers. They were also more likely to praise their kids.

The survey reflected that although gender roles had changed, women were still responsible for most childcare in Australian households.

"Fathers used to be the austere and cold disciplinarians in the household who ruled with the rod," said Wayne Warburton of Macquarie University's children and families research centre.

"This is no longer the case. The burden of discipline now often falls to mothers," Warburton added.

Source: ANI