ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some important parenting contributions to child outcome and well-being. It discusses the limitations on parental influence as well as the cultural roadblocks preventing parents from being as effective as they could be. The chapter presents an overview of the current social and psychological conditions affecting the quality of life of children and adolescents in our society. It suggests that a general deterioration in the social environment makes parents even more important for child well-being than before. Parenting is important because not all human characteristics and behaviors are equally affected by genes. Even those traits that have a high genetic component can be at the very least improved or tempered by proper parental practices and a good extra-familial environment, such as a stable and resourceful neighborhood. Parents can prevent a youngster from being negatively influenced by detrimental forces in the external environment such as a delinquent peer group, a poor school system, violent mass media, or neighborhood criminality.
