Parenting Practices during COVID-19 in Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Objective: The current study intends to look at how COVID-19 pandemic affected parenting practices during COVID-19 in Pakistan and if the children were exposed to more abuse and neglect at home. Study Design: A quantitative design survey. Place and Duration of the Study Data was collected from parents visiting outpatient departments (OPDs) in four hospitals of Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi in three months from July to September 2020. Material and Methods: A quantitative design survey was used, and data (N=923) were collected using a self-administered COVID-19 Parenting Response Scale (α = 0.74). Results: The primary responsibility of taking care of children rested with mothers in most of the cases. Ratio of severe disciplinary practices like shouting, yelling, cursing, and slapping children was increased significantly during the lock down as the anger and frustration in the parents also mounted. This effect was more pronounced in families from lower socioeconomic groups as well as for those who suffered income loss during COVID-19. Conclusion: Financial and emotional stress caused by COVID-19 exacerbated the already difficult parenting practices. Ultimately children suffered more violence at the hands of parents. In Pakistani society there is little awareness on building one‟s capacity on good parenting and little availability of such trainings. There is a need to understand implications for good parenting and create awareness of positive parenting methods.