PAR2: A New Science of Parenthood (ERC Consolidator Grant)
In PAR2, we study parenthood as a major life transition that shapes our social behaviour and social skills. We consider both genetic and environmental factors. PAR2 is structured into four subprojects:
- Are parents different from non-parents in their social skills?
We address this question using TRAILS, a longitudinal study conducted in the Netherlands. - How do friends, partners, and other parents influence parenting?
To answer this question, we examine the social networks of young parents during the first 18 months after the birth of a child. - Can earlier relationships in adolescence predict later parenting behaviour?
To answer this question, we work with so-called multigenerational data, that is, longitudinal information covering multiple life stages—from childhood to mid-adulthood—in which the transition into parenthood has been assessed. We are very fortunate to collaborate with researchers in the Netherlands and Australia who have been collecting such data for decades. - Do the genes of ourselves, our partners, or our children play a role in parenting?
In this subproject, we investigate the genetic influences on parenting behaviour, considering not only individuals’ own genes but also the genes of other family members.
PAR2 is the first large-scale project to conceptualise parenthood as a form of social development, bringing together multiple disciplines to understand how we become the parents we are. The project started in 2024 and will run for five years.