ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some commonly observed parent-child problems and examines some of the child developmental issues and parent-child relational issues. Beyond individual psychopathology, parent-child problems can be indirectly molded by sociocultural background: how the parents value the existence and function of the children and vice-versa. In many families, problems are most commonly encountered in parent-child communication. Concerning the effects of social class upon parent-child relationships, M. L. Kohn has discussed class differences in parents’ values in relation to child discipline. El-Islam has described the serious generational gaps and conflicts arising in families in Arabian Gulf communities. When problems between parents and children are serious, they may be manifested in specific dysfunctional ways under different cultural circumstances, including child abuse, incest, or parental abuse. It is generally understood that pathological child runaway behavior – running away from home habitually – is very closely related to the family environment, and particularly the parent-child relationship.
