The Exploration of the Sources of Parenting Beliefs in Taiwan

Abstract

This study aims to explore the different sources of parenting for preschool parents in Taiwan, and whether these parenting sources vary according to the parent’s background. 18,972 young preschoolers from Taiwan were selected as research subjects. With an approximation of 0.5% random selection, 949 young children were selected, and 709 valid questionnaires were received back, with a valid retrieval proportion of 76.2%. The outcomes were concluded as follows: (1) The parenting sources of preschool parents are categorized as friends, education professionals and books, newspapers and broadcast TV, and life experiences or other influences. Among these factors, life experiences and other influences play the most significant role. (2) When compared with fathers, there is a significant difference with mothers placing more emphasis on “friends” and education professionals”. Parents younger than 34 years old emphasize newspapers and broadcast TV” and “life experience or others influences” more than parents older than 45 years old. (3) The higher the parents’ educational degree, the more emphasis on “education professionals and books”, and “life experience or others influence”. These conclusions can serve as references for academia. Suggestions for future research are also proposed.