Transition to Parenthood

A structural analysis of the parental role cycle pinpoints the factors which make the transition to parenthood more difficut than marital and occupational adjustment in American society: (1) lack of the cultural option to reject parenthood or to terminate a pregnancy when it is not desired, (2) the shift from marriage to the first pregnancy as the major transition point in adult women's lives, (3) abruptness of the transition at childbirth, and (4) the lack of guidelines to successful parenthood in our society. It is also suggested that every social role has the two independent axes of support and authority and that, contrary to expectation, the balance between expressive and instrumental activities is tipped toward a greater instrumental focus to the maternal role and to an excess of expressive activities in the paternal role, with the result that neither sex is adequately prepared for parenthood.