Theme

Social Sciences and Business

“She’s not a Regular Mom, She’s a Cool Mom”: A Phenomenological Study of Permissive Maternal Parenting on an Adolescent Daughter’s Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Relationships

Authors

• Chloe Anne D. Gallardo, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Williana Erich R. Balane, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Ailesgreis Rinoah C. Lim, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Juriel Elpiz B. Lumabi, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Anna Margarita E. San Juan, De La Salle UniversityFollow

Research Advisor

Ms. Anna Margarita E. San Juan

Abstract

Within the context of Filipino gender and cultural norms, mothers often navigate both conservative and liberal approaches in raising their daughters. Among these, permissive parenting, which emphasizes freedom and minimal control, shapes adolescent development in unique ways. Therefore, this study explores how adolescent daughters perceive their permissive mothers’ influence on intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. Grounded in the Self-Determination Theory, the study examines how autonomy, relatedness, and competence emerge in their daughters’ lived experiences and mother-daughter relationships. This research addresses the lack of local literature by shedding light on mother-daughter dynamics through an interpretative phenomenological approach. This study explores the lived experiences of adolescent daughters with permissive mothers. Eight female participants aged 16-18 years attending Senior High Schools within Metro Manila were selected using a modified version of the Parental Authority Questionnaire and underwent individual semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed thematically. These findings indicate how daughters perceive their mothers’ permissive styles: fostering autonomy, emotional openness, and self-confidence, contributing to intrapersonal growth through strengthened self-identity, and interpersonal growth through more positive and open social interactions. However, challenges such as unresolved conflicts and dependency issues also emerged, highlighting a complex relationship between maternal permissiveness and adolescent development. These discoveries advocate thorough explorations into how daughters perceive relational experiences with their mothers, especially in a culture still shaped by patriarchal norms. Ultimately, this study contributes to existing literature on mother-daughter dynamics and further examines knowledge on permissive parenting.

Recommended Citation

Gallardo, C. A. D., Balane, W. E. R., Lim, A. R. C., Lumabi, J. E. B., & San Juan, A. M. E. (2025). She’s not a regular mom, she’s a cool mom: A phenomenological study of permissive maternal parenting on an adolescent daughter’s interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Sinaya, (3)2, 133–170. https://doi.org/10.59588/3027-9283.1238