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Abstract
This study examined how gender and perceptions of parenting related to adolescent motivation during free-time. The sample consisted of 377 ninthgraders from high schools in eastern Massachusetts. Significant gender differences were found for rules enacted, with females reporting more rules in place than males. When examining the relationship between parenting practices and motivation, differences were observed in motivation states based on the provision of specific parent practices by gender. Intrinsic motivation was higher for boys when they reported parents enacting more rules, while more rules undermined girls' intrinsic motivation. External motivation was lower for girls when they reported more parental involvement, while boys were unaffected by this variable. Regardless of gender, amotivation was higher when youth reported parents providing low resource support and few rules. The discussion focuses on how boys and girls respond differently to specific parenting practices and what this means to adult leaders working with youth.
Parent Publication
Citation
Watts, Clifton E., Jr.; Caldwell, Linda L. 2007. Exploring the effects of adolescent perceptions of parenting in free time and gender on adolescent motivation in free time. In: Burns, R.; Robinson, K., comps. Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2006 April 9-11; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-14. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 326-334.
