This study was designed to explore Cuban American adolescents’ conceptions of good parent-adolescent relationships and the extent to which they reflect cultural values and gender roles. Focus group interviews were conducted with 23 U.S. Cuban American adolescents (mean age∈=∈17.1 years; SD∈=∈.90) with at least one immigrant parent. A qualitative analysis of interview transcripts using the tools of grounded theory revealed gendered family roles and relationships across parent-child dyads. Mothers were extensively involved in their children’s daily lives, and mother-adolescent relationships were often close; in contrast, fathers were background figures who stepped in to make important decisions and dispense discipline. Boys and girls reported distinct relationships with each parent and linked family roles and relationships to Cuban culture.

Other Authors
  1. Lisa J. Crockett, Ph.D, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  2. Jill R. Brown, Ph.D, Creighton University
  3. Maria I. Iturbide, Ph.D, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  4. Ada M. Wilkinson-Lee, Ph.D , National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health