Differential parenting styles for fathers and mothers

University students (N = 617; 242 male, 375 female) completed a questionnaire designed to tap attitudes toward paternal and maternal parenting. Significant gender-based differences were found for the authoritative and permissive styles of parenting. Mothers, rather than fathers, were perceived to be more likely to use these styles. When considering the extent to which parents differentiated between their sons and daughters, significant differences were found for each of the three parenting styles. Fathers were perceived by male respondents to be more likely to use an authoritarian style. Mothers were perceived to be more likely to use an authoritative style by female respondents, and a permissive style by male respondents. Some of the socialisation implications stemming from these gender-based differences are discussed, particularly with regard to aggressiveness.