There are several attributes, other than gender, which may have effects on parents' speech. Because these variables are not always consistent between studies, comparison is difficult. In addition, many studies do not control for all these factors. For studies that address them specifically, see the Other Studies page.
Social Variables
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socioeconomic class |
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culture |
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parents' level of education |
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family structure (e.g. divorce, remarriage, etc.) |
Other Variables
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age of child |
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gender of child |
Activities Observed
Some studies control for behavior by prescribing the activities in which parents and children participate while under observation. Some, such as Davidson (1996), argue that having subjects use unfamiliar objects or activities forces them into an unnatural and uncomfortable mode of behavior that reduces the markedness of CDS and thus confounds the results.
Changing role of fathers and mothers
Since inquiry into this topic began in the 1970s, changing gender roles in society have had a dramatic effect on the nature of parenting. In many households today, both parents are in the workforce, with the result that many mothers spend less time with the children, and many fathers spend more. It is therefore difficult to ascribe primary or secondary status to a parent.