ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some general principles and practices it believes lie at the heart of good parenting. Everyone has a vested interest in children’s welfare because they represent society’s future and help ensure its continued existence. To illustrate how different environments can influence child rearing, the chapter begins with a brief survey of cultural variations in parenting beliefs and practices. It summarizes some differences in US values on parenting, provides a selective summary of parenting expectations and styles in other countries, and highlights some issues about day care. The chapter tries to distill from the social science information presented throughout this book a set of principles important for parenting. It turns attention to variations among groups within the United States, particularly in the use and effects of preschool and day care facilities.
