ABSTRACT
A large part of a parent’s identity as a loving, worthwhile person is determined by his or her ability to provide for his or her children’s physical and psychological well-being. In interviews with 97 adults, Whitbourne (1986) found that the vast majority rated family as the “most important area of my life.” The deep emotional involvement with family has multiple effects on self-esteem. The parenting experience can result in perspective changes, often causing parents to see matters in a new light. Generalized feelings of competence and confidence come from lessons learned (Erikson & Erikson, 1997). This chapter reviews the effects of parenting on self-esteem.
