Time, Technology, and Social Pressure: Positive Discipline in Contemporary Family Life

By Briseida ANDONI, PhD   Etleva HAXHIHYSENI, PhD

Abstract
In the context of modern parenting, the application of positive discipline faces numerous challenges that hinder its consistent and effective implementation. This mini-study explored parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to positive discipline, aiming to identify factors that either facilitate or obstruct its use in daily life. The research focused on three key barriers affecting parents’ ability to foster healthy educational relationships with their children: lack of time, the influence of technology, and social pressure. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 110 employed parents aged 30–45 years, each with one or more children aged 3–6 years, residing in Tirana. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative analysis, the study examined parental perceptions of stress, parenting styles, the impact of technology, and children’s adaptive behavior within the constraints of limited time. The findings reveal a gradual shift away from authoritarian parenting styles, ongoing challenges in managing children’s technology use, and increasing parental stress due to time pressure. Most participants reported seeking parenting support primarily through the internet—especially social media—rather than consulting educational professionals. These results highlight the urgent need for targeted, expert-led training programs to enhance young parents’ skills in applying positive discipline and promoting children’s healthy emotional development.