November 3, 2021
BBC recently published research co-authored by Anat Keinan, Associate Professor of Marketing, on the many theories of competitive parenting. As the article discusses, research suggests competitive parenting may be a coping mechanism for some who feel vulnerable or inadequate in other areas of their lives such as our professional roles – this is known as ‘status pivoting.’
Social media environments and rampant consumerism feed into the competitive parenting world.
“In today’s hyper-competitive and interconnected environment, upward comparisons are inescapable. Individuals often cope with status threat by pivot[ing] to domains in which they can signal achievements and feel superior.”
– Anat Keinan, Associate Professor of Marketing
In a study completed by Anat and fellow researchers, it was found that pivoting is not limited to parenting. Researchers found status pivoting is not negative, as Keinan concludes it “is a healthy psychological mechanism to have flexibility in how you define success.”
