Research Uncovers Preference Among Mothers for Outgoing Children Over Intellectual Offspring
In a recent study published in *Personality and Individual Differences*, researchers Rachel M. Latham and Sophie von Stumm from Goldsmiths, University of London, delved into the hopes and desires of expectant and new mothers regarding their children's personalities.
The study, which involved 142 British mothers with babies aged from 0 to 12 months old, found that the Big Five personality traits of Extraversion and Conscientiousness were the most preferred for their newborns. Mothers rated these traits higher in desirability compared to the other Big Five traits, which include Neuroticism, Agreeableness, and Openness.
Interestingly, the mothers in the study showed a preference for their child to be self-conscious rather than neurotic, and they placed a high value on morality over other agreeableness options. More than half of the mothers chose a feature of extraversion as the absolute most important.
The majority of mothers also prioritized achievement-striving highest in importance under conscientiousness. However, the study's findings contrast with research showing that intelligence and conscientiousness are linked to longer, healthier lives, but are placed lower in importance by mothers.
The study did not focus on why mothers prioritized personality traits in a certain order, but speculated that it may be due to current societal values encouraging extraversion. It is worth noting that the study had a limitation in that neuroticism was presented negatively, potentially affecting mothers' ratings of its importance.
The study did not explore the preferences of fathers regarding their children's personalities. Future research will further clarify and expand on these findings, providing valuable insights into the hopes and aspirations of parents for their children's personalities.
This research offers a fascinating glimpse into the hopes and dreams of mothers for their children's personalities. As parents, we strive to foster the best qualities in our children, and understanding these preferences can help guide our parenting decisions.
The study also implies that mothers tend to value education and self-development, as shown by their preference for conscientiousness, a trait linked to achievement-striving and personal growth. Moreover, the researchers speculate that the prioritization of extraversion may indicate a focus on health-and-wellness and family-health, as extraversion can encourage social interaction and emotional stability. Lastly, the study suggests a shift in societal values. Instead of prioritizing intellectual traits, such as intelligence, parents are increasingly valuing traits that contribute to personal growth and family health.
