In summary, no clear gender patterns emerged in terms of whether mothers or fathers were more
likely to discipline their children or whether they were likely to use distinct strategies. Similarly, no
clear differences emerged in terms of how parents monitor and discipline their sons and daughters.
Thus, the relationship between gender of the parent and child, and how discipline is managed in
parent–child relationships, is nebulous. It is likely that individual differences in relationships and
roles within families are more significant mediators of parental disciplinary strategies than parent
or child gender per se.