Temperament's effect on parenting?

• A. It has no influence on parenting
• B. Temperament influences caregiver stress and parenting strategies
• C. Temperament determines genetics
• D. Temperament affects only siblings

Answer: (B)

Temperament refers to stable individual differences in how children react emotionally and regulate themselves, present from early in life. Because infants vary in how easily they become distressed and how quickly they recover, their temperament shapes what parenting feels like and requires. A more difficult or highly reactive temperament tends to raise caregiver stress, which can influence parenting practices—affecting how promptly caregivers respond, how soothing they are, and how consistent they are with rules and discipline. In contrast, an easier temperament often leads to lower stress and more warm, flexible parenting. This shows how child characteristics shape parenting behaviors, rather than genetics being determined by temperament, or temperament affecting only siblings, or there being no influence at all.