ABSTRACT:Urban India is undergoing major sociocultural transformation due to globalisation, digitisation, emerging nuclear families, dual-income families and shifting gender roles. The shift in the traditional family system has led to the redesigning of parenting paradigms in contemporary India. Traditional methods of parenting based on parental authority, hierarchy, obedience and interdependence are being supplemented with modern childcentric parenting methods emphasising autonomy, independence, open dialogue and communication. These changes have raised questions on the potential ramifications and impact on diverse developmental domains of adolescents. This paper analyses the modern changes in parenting practices and family life in urban India and it further integrates previous literature to explain how parenting affects attachment patterns that adolescents develop over time. Moreover, since most parenting research has mainly focussed on parenting in western cultures, this paper further attempts to bridge the gap with an India context to contemporary parenting styles that still values collectivism along with a growing need for individualism. The paper is based on Parenting Styles theory proposed by Diana Baumrind, further developed by Maccoby and Martin and the Attachment by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. The study further evaluates how factors like parental warmth, responsiveness, autonomy support and open dialogue can impact an adolescent’s sense of emotional security and attachment. Furthermore, possible impacts of current positive parenting trends are explored in the context of attachment patterns developed by adolescents. In conclusion, this paper explains that even though parenting practices are changing due to changes in social cultural context, the adolescent will always continue to require a secure emotional base for their growth and independence. It further elucidates that the major issue faced by modern urban Indian parents is to find a right balance between parental guidance and authority and being emotionally responsive as well as providing autonomy support to their children. Lastly, the paper highlights the importance of culture-based research on the topic of parenting and attachment. Additionally, it provides suggestions to parents, educators, counsellors and mental health professionals.

CHANGING PARENTING PRACTICES AND ITS IMPACT ON ADOLESCENT ATTACHMENT IN URBAN INDIA

YVETTE LEE, DR. VAIJAYANTA ANAND