The impact of parental religiosity on parenting goals and parenting style: a Dutch perspective

Several studies, conducted mainly in the United States, have revealed that parental religiosity influences the way parents raise their children. Against this background, the current study explores if such an effect is also discernible in the Netherlands. Data were gathered as part of a longitudinal study, in which 356 Dutch parents answered questions about their religious beliefs and practices, their parenting goals and parenting style. Analyses revealed that there is only a weak, ambiguous relation between parental religiosity and a preference for autonomy as a desirable value to be instilled in children. Parental church attendance is negatively associated with a preference for autonomy, but parents who are actively involved in a religious community tend to value children's autonomy more positively. Effects of other indices of parental religiosity were not found, nor was there an effect of parental religiosity on parenting style. As far as this sample is concerned, the conclusion is that religion is not an important factor when it comes to the way parents raise their children.