Description
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PART I. UNDERSTANDING PARENTS AND CHILD REARING
Chapter 1. Introduction: From Beliefs to Scientific Evidence
Parenting Beliefs Throughout History
Authorities’ Parenting Beliefs Throughout History
Other Sources of Parenting Beliefs
Using Research to Understand Parenting
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 2. Theoretical Perspectives on Parenting
Introduction to Theory
Classical Theories
Biological, Genetic, and Environmental Influences
Social Learning and Social Theories
Family Systems Theory
Other Emotion-Based Theories
Developmental Stage Theories
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 3. Approaches to Parenting Research
Approaches
Comparing Approaches
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 4. How Important Are Parents?
Historical Evidence About Parental Influence
Associations Between Parenting and Children’s Outcomes
The Behavioral Genetics Challenge
A Different Perspective on How Parents Matter
Trajectories and Development
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 5. Determinants of Parenting
Categories of Determinants
Cultural and Distal Determinants
Contextual Determinants
Stable Characteristics Determinants
Situational Determinants
Interrelations Among Determinants
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
PART II. PARENTING AND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 6. Becoming a Parent
Getting Pregnant, Staying Pregnant, and Encountering Problems
Labor and Childbirth
The Preterm Baby
Transitioning to Parenthood
Parenting the Newborn
The Problem of Infant Mortality
Ethical Issues
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 7. Parenting Infants and Toddlers
Parenting Infants
Parenting Toddlers
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 8. Parenting Preschoolers
Parenting a Preschooler
Contemporary Issues
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 9. Parenting During the Middle Childhood Years
Parents and Within-Family Interactions
Parents and External Influences
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 10. Parenting Adolescents and Emerging Adults
Developmental Changes in Adolescence
Problems for Adolescents and Their Parents
How Parents Help Teens Navigate Adolescence
Parenting Emerging Adults
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
PART III. CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
Chapter 11. Parenting in Non-Traditional Families
Non-Traditional Family Structures
Non-Traditional Parent Characteristics
Non-Traditional Parental Roles or Occupations
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 12. Parents at Risk
Parent Characteristics
Child Characteristics
Parent Context
Support for and Resilience in At-Risk Parents
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 13. Parenting Across Cultures
Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Parenting
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 14. Cultural Diversity in U.S. Parents
Cultural Diversity Among U.S. Parents
Minority Groups
Religion and Parenting
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 15. Child Maltreatment: When Parenting Goes Awry
Child Maltreatment Throughout History
The Many Faces of Child Maltreatment
Maltreatment Across Time and Country
Protecting Maltreated Children: Foster Parents
The Costs of Child Maltreatment
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Chapter 16. Parents and Social Policy
The Changing American Family
The Societal Costs of Family Problems
Social Policy Responses
Controversial Social Policy Ideas
Chapter Conclusions
Thought Questions
Glossary
References
Index
