A Review on The Maternal Gatekeeping

Objective:

Researches show paternal involvement is critical for development and psychological well-being of children. Furthermore, it has been thought that certain maternal behavior might be affecting the relationship of fathers with their children, and maternal gatekeeping might be regarded as a determinant over paternal involvement. One of the main objectives of this review was to identify maternal gatekeeping behavior with respect to its connection with paternal involvement in childcare. We have also aimed to determine variables related to maternal gatekeeping.

Method:

Various databases were searched by using maternal gatekeeping as the keyword and published articles and dissertations were reviewed in accordance with the objectives of the study.

Results:

Until recently, most studies have pointed out negative aspects of gatekeeping, such as mothers being critical of father-child interaction, or mothers exhibiting excessive control over family tasks. However, some other studies have conceptualized maternal gatekeeping with both positive and negative aspects. Recently, Puhlman and Pasley (2013) suggested a new three dimensional (control, encouragement, and discouragement) model that has stemmed from family systems theory and feminist perspective over maternal gatekeeping. In this review, mother’s commitment to traditional gender roles, individual characteristics of parents and quality of marital relationship were found to be signifi cant variables that predicted maternal gatekeeping. In addition, scales developed with the intent to measure maternal gate keeping, were introduced.

Discussion:

Although number of studies in current literature about maternal gatekeeping has considerably increased in recent years, studies conducted in Turkey so far remain limited. Future studies that shall examine the effects of maternal gatekeeping on the family system as a whole, rather than how it affected the father-child relationship, might contribute to outline a better understanding of the concept.