"Raising Daughters and Loving Sons"

This descriptive study investigated whether emerging adults' gender differentially impacted perceptions of mother (figure's) parenting style and subsequently identity formation in African American undergraduates. To assess whether association existed between the categorical variables of gender and mother (figure) parenting style (authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive) and to determine statistical significance, chi-square difference tests were conducted. To assess whether association existed between the variables of gender, mother parenting style, and identity status and determine statistical significance, frequencies and correlations were compared. Results revealed no significant differences in perceptions of mother (figures') parenting style based on gender; however, there were other specific differences noted. Emerging adults in this sample who perceived of their mother (figures) as Authoritative were more likely Undifferentiated in identity status; females in this status were more likely than males to perceive of their parenting as Authoritarian. The findings of this study appear to have implications for developing parent education in African American families and interventions for young adults who may be experiencing identity confusion.