Parenting Behaviors, Cultural Influences and Impact on Childhood Health and Well-being

We know that parents affect the behavior, health and well-being of their children, but the findings of parent-child effects vary in different countries. Parenting has evolved into a science with prolific studies focusing on how and why parents behave in a particular way and the effects these behaviours have on the child. As a result of parenting effects, the cognitive, emotional, social, physical and general development of the child can be positive or negative. In this book, each chapter adds to our understanding of the parent-child relationship; the possible effects the behaviour of parents may have on the health and well-being of children are discussed. These influences are presented from the perspective of Diana Baumrind's, a specialist of parenting typologies. The studies presented in this book provide a cultural perspective of parenting, highlighting the similarities and differences to other studies focusing on: interventions for parents; adoption and foster care; the reciprocal nature between religiosity and politics and the family. This book includes reviews and primary research studies conducted in South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Hong Kong.