| Parent-child relationships and the inter-relational behaviors they engender provided the framework to explore cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual changes that occurred over time in parents actively shouldering parenting responsibilities. Glaser and Strauss' classic grounded theory was used in search of a systematically developed and inductively derived theory of an emergent Basic Social Psychological Process yielding hypothetical probability statements to interpret, explain, and predict conceptually described aspects of parenting's challenges, strategies, benefits, and opportunities for growth in self-awareness. Source data included 30 items inclusive of interviews, first-person recollections from books and web pages, and audio recordings all addressing the grand tour question: "Tell me about your experiences as a parent". Constant comparative analysis revealed the core variable transforming loyalty as the emergent pattern manifesting in distinct yet intertwined perspectives; namely, the Stage of Releasing Self-Interest, the Stage of Embracing Detachment, and the Stage of Living Nonattached. In stage 1, newly recognized egocentric perspectives begin to broaden with the assistance of emotional regulation. In stage 2, self-knowledge begins to validate the perspectives and autonomy of others. In stage 3, nonattachment heralds realization of presence and intuitive knowing. Biopsychosocial and cultural elements influence responsivity to parenting, adding to context factors (i.e., Altering Perceptions, Growth Triggers, and Learning Through Life's Lessons) shaping personal character, values, and behaviors. Through inductive analysis, allegiance and trust emerged as properties of loyalty. Dimensions of each property expressed uniquely (stage 1: restricted and guarded; stage 2: qualified and finite; and stage 3: unconditional and attuned, respectively), suggesting that self-directed reduction of self-centeredness spurs Transformation of Loyalty to Self through accurate perception in stage 1; a Transformation of Loyalty to Family via growing empathy in stage 2; and a Transformation of Loyalty to Life through self-acceptance in stage 3. Presence defines a perspective in which moment-by-moment self-awareness awakens reverence for Life. Active parenthood, then, operates as a mechanism through which lessons in loyalty raise awareness about individual potential and unlimited possibility through nonattachment. |
