Using Identity Theory to Develop a Midrange Model of Parental Gatekeeping and Parenting Behavior

Given the socially constructed nature of parenthood, frameworks such as identity theory can help explain mothering and fathering behaviors and, particularly, parents' influence on one another's behaviors (referred to here as parental gatekeeping). Burke's (1991, 1997) identity verification model suggests that others encourage or inhibit identity-relevant behaviors via identity-behavior-feedback loops. This article proposes that such dyadic processes can explain parental gatekeeping; by combining empirical literature and propositions from identity theory and adding gender and power as moderating constructs, a midrange model of parental gatekeeping and parental behavior is derived.