Parental reactions to dating relationships: Do they make a difference?

What information do young adults convey to their parents about their dating partners and their dating relationships? How, in turn, do parents behave toward their children on the basis of such information? Further, how do parents' actions affect the subsequent course of those relationships? These questions were addressed in a four-month longitudinal study of 159 college students. During the fall, information was obtained from respondents on their feelings of closeness to their parents, their stage of relationship involvement with their dating partner, and the extent and nature of their own and their parents' attempts to influence each others' thinking about their dating relationships. Approximately four months later, participants were again contacted to determine their level of involvement in their dating relationships. Results indicate that young adults monitor the information they provide their parents about their dating relationships and that the more committed the young adult is to the relationship, the more likely he or she is to inform the parents of the relationship and to try to influence their opinion of it. Parents, in turn, are more likely to support relationships in which their offspring are highly involved. However, the amount of support provided by parents did not predict change in the stage of premarital relationship involvement. These findings are discussed from a systems perspective that suggests the importance of viewing young adults' relationship development not only within a context of interpersonal influence but also in light of the young adults' socialization history.