ABSTRACT
A number of theoretical models may help us understand the importance of parent–child relationships during emerging adulthood and how these relationships are important for development during the third decade of life. Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn by observing one another. Specifically, the learner imitates the behavior of another person who is demonstrating, or modeling, a particular behavior. Parenting styles are characterized as making up the broad, overarching emotional climate of the relationship between parents and children and theoretically moderate the link between more specific parenting practices and children’s outcomes. In other words, specific parenting strategies or practices may be more or less effective depending on the parenting style or climate of the overall relationship. Throughout childhood and adolescence, three important dimensions of parenting have been identified, including support, autonomy granting and control. Research on parental support during emerging adulthood exists in many forms, with little attempt at connection across literatures.
