Identifying Parenting Styles with an Emphasis on the Iranian–Islamic Lifestyle

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Parenting is a fundamental mechanism through which values, norms, and behavioral patterns are transmitted to future generations, significantly influencing children’s cognitive, emotional, social, and moral development. The present study aimed to identify the goals, principles, methods, and parenting styles rooted in the Iranian–Islamic lifestyle and to develop a comprehensive indigenous framework for family education.

Methodology: This qualitative study employed thematic analysis. Participants consisted of 14 experts, including faculty members in educational sciences, philosophy of education, and educational psychology, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed with MAXQDA software. Trustworthiness was established through credibility, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity criteria, while reliability was supported through inter-coder agreement.

Findings: The thematic analysis revealed a parenting model comprising 15 goals, 45 principles, and 133 parenting methods. The identified goals covered major developmental domains, including spiritual and moral growth, cognitive development, emotional regulation, social development, religious-national identity, psychological security, economic education, family cohesion, and media literacy. Furthermore, six major parenting styles were extracted: role-model-based parenting, emotional-supportive parenting, rational-dialogic parenting, participatory-social parenting, structured-guiding parenting, and responsibility-oriented parenting. These styles collectively represent a holistic framework for child development within the Iranian–Islamic context.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that parenting within the Iranian–Islamic lifestyle is a multidimensional, goal-oriented, and value-based process integrating religious, cultural, and educational foundations. The proposed model provides a culturally grounded framework that can be applied in parent education programs, family counseling services, educational policy development, and the design of indigenous parenting interventions.