A social power framework is utilized to locate those variables that influence adolescent perceptions of power in the parental unit. The variables are categorized as parental resources, family resources, family size, adolescents' religiosity, and adolescent demographic factors. A major focus of the study is to test the viability of resource theory for explaining adolescent perceptions of parental power. A purposive subsample (N=296) of high school adolescents was obtained and a self-report methodology was employed. Regression analyses support the utility of a resource theory approach. In addition, a number of other variables evidence a degree of strength, particularly adolescents' religiosity. A major finding is that those potential determinant variables taken together are less influential for adolescent perceptions of maternal power than paternal power. Possible explanations are explored. It is also demonstrated that parental power perceptions are not sex-linked for adolescents and same-sex parents but are found to occur in a similar manner with both parents for male and female adolescents. (Author)