This book examines the critical relationship between parenting styles and child development in an era where parenting practices have become increasingly contested. Poor parenting—characterized by inadequate skills, harsh punishment, and inconsistent reinforcement—has been linked to a range of negative outcomes, including mental health problems, educational difficulties, antisocial behavior, and poor coping mechanisms that persist into adulthood. Research consistently demonstrates that parenting styles significantly influence children's psychological well-being, academic performance, social adjustment, and behavioral development.
 
Through a compilation of carefully selected articles, this volume explores the multifaceted dimensions of parenting and their profound impact on children's lives. The book is organized into two sections: the first examines the effects of less-than-adequate parenting, while the second focuses on troubled childhood and adolescence. Each section provides evidence-based insights into how different parenting approaches—from authoritarian to permissive—shape developmental trajectories and contribute to either resilience or vulnerability in young people.
 
This book is essential reading for developmental psychologists, clinical practitioners, social workers, educators, family therapists, and students in psychology, education, and social work. It addresses key subject areas including developmental psychology, clinical child psychology, family studies, parenting research, and child mental health.
 
The chapters in this book were originally published in The Journal of Psychology.