Social media and performative parenting

• Main Authors: LIM, Sun Sun, WANG, Yang
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2024
• Subjects: Mobile communication; Home-school conferencing apps; Self-presentation; Peer pressure; Parent-school connections; Parent-child relations; Child Psychology; Family, Life Course, and Society; Social Media
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cis_research/161; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/cis_research/article/1160/viewcontent/9781800377059_9_pvoa_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

With the intensifying use of social media in many realms of everyday life, even parenting is manifesting a public dimension. Whereas one might regard parenting as a private activity undertaken within the home, the use of social media to highlight the joys and trials of child-rearing has put parenting under the digital spotlight. Parents are keen to showcase their children’s growth and development to family and friends. Significant achievements invite praise and social endorsement, as well as commendations for excellent parenting. The sharing of parenting struggles over social media can also elicit expressions of commiseration, sympathy and support. The ensuing virtuous cycles of mutual affirmation and validation can create a sense of community, but the competitiveness and envy that could result may also be alienating. Consequently, the tensions amid such social media dynamics surrounding performative parenting in our hyper-connected era warrant greater scrutiny.