ABSTRACT
This chapter develops a twofold view of parenting. On the one hand, parenting is a social role aimed at definable social goods. On the other hand, parenting involves a morally significant relationship that is an important childhood interest and that matters to both parents and children. Parenting is both of these things at the same time. From the social role aspect of parenting flows parental authority and its limits, the moral obligations owed by parents to children, and the clear understanding that parents must be supported and regulated by society in wielding the power that is associated with the role. From the relational aspect comes the deference that society owes to parents and children; the parent-child relationship matters morally to the parent and the child, and it would be wrong to disrupt it or interfere in unjustified ways.
