Parenting

By analyzing small samples of human hair, researchers have uncovered a lasting biological link between a mother's social hormones and the emotional quality of her bond with her child.

A recent study reveals that adults who exceed their ideal family size experience lower emotional well-being. By contrast, people who have fewer children than desired report similar happiness levels to those who meet their parenting goals.

When children watch their parents interact, their brains sync up with the adults via an invisible biological alignment. A new scanning study reveals that this synchronization provides a vital pathway for emotional learning and protects kids against behavioral struggles.

A comprehensive review of global survey data shows that single parents consistently report lower life satisfaction than partnered parents. However, employment, social support, and time act as powerful buffers that help solo caregivers thrive.

Young women who view their mothers as highly self-centered often struggle to regulate their own stress. New research explores how growing up with a narcissistic parent predicts emotional instability during the transition to adulthood.

When couples have a child, mothers usually face a persistent drop in earnings compared to fathers. A new study reveals that this financial setback is smaller for women who have more formal education than their partners.

A PLOS One study links early parenthood to lifelong financial and health challenges that level out by the late twenties. Yet, researchers stress young parents aren't doomed to fail if communities provide essential support instead of stigma.

A new study suggests that when teenage daughters use humor during conversations about sex, they tend to experience better sexual well-being. However, a mother's use of humor is actually associated with her daughter being less willing to open up.

A recent study published in the journal Appetite suggests that breastfeeding provides infants with early practice at self-regulation. This daily routine helps babies recognize when they are full, which predicts better impulse control by preschool age.

Why does relationship happiness drop after having a baby? Research shows that while conflict rises, the most damaging factor is actually the disappearance of positive couple interactions, like sharing feelings and showing mutual appreciation.

Wearable trackers show a new parent's actual sleep time doesn't predict their mental health. Instead, a new study finds that psychological distress actually worsens perceived sleep quality over the first year postpartum for both parents.

New research shows that Chinese parents and adult children often share similar preferences for a future spouse. The study suggests that these shared values, particularly regarding financial stability, are strongly tied to specific childhood parenting styles.

A large survey of adolescents reveals that strong parent-child communication significantly boosts a teen's emotional and social skills. Interestingly, researchers found these character-building benefits are particularly strong for urban teenagers and only children.

Parents who perceive their child-rearing duties as sacred tend to report higher levels of happiness. A recent sociological study highlights how different internal images of God can subtly amplify or diminish this sense of fulfillment.