Structure, discipline yield stronger relationships, parenting study finds
February 26, 2026
While enforcing rules makes parenting “feel harder” in the moment, parents and children both say their relationships improve under clear expectations in the long run, according to a recent study.
The Institute for Family Studies (IFS) interviewed 24,000 U.S. parents on the challenges of parenting and found both the number and age of kids, as well as the support of a spouse and community, significantly impact the results.
