Psychological Structure of Parental Tolerance

The article focuses on parental tolerance, an issue still unexplored in psychological science and yet significant as it shapes the rearing potential of a family. Basing on my own concept of conscious parenthood, I developed a model of parental tolerance and tested a number of techniques for studying its structure. The model represents parental tolerance as an integral unity of three components (cognitive, emotional and behavioural) and was tested empirically. The analysis of the structure and content of parental tolerance was carried out using the correlation study. As it was revealed, the key component in the structure of parental tolerance is the emotional one and its elements, such as positive feelings towards the child based on his/her unconditional acceptance, and parental love. The core of the cognitive component is the parent’s mindful attitude towards the child and parental responsibilities. The most essential elements in the behavioural component are communicative tolerance and democratic style of parenting.