ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on the concept of what is necessary in being a man or woman before launching into the concepts of fathering and mothering. It considers emerging parenting styles that are advocated in literature and the media and are gaining importance and relevance in parenting. These styles are sifted from both Western and Eastern countries. The book also considers the compatibility of Western and Eastern parenting styles in a point-by-point analysis. It looks at the roles of significant others in parenting, as many parents cannot be looking after their children full-time. Developmental psychology and neuroscience, among major disciplines, have added to the understanding and development of parenting styles emanating from parenting beliefs and practices in different cultures. Parenting styles have been classified variously by different schools and proponents.
