10.2: Introduction

Parenting is both an intimate family relationship and a social institution that shapes children’s development, family life, and the continuity of society. Although parents and caregivers make daily decisions about how to raise children, these choices are influenced by cultural expectations, family structure, economic resources, public policies, and broader systems of inequality. This chapter examines the core functions of parenting, major sociological perspectives on parenting and family life, and variations in parenting styles and practices. It also considers how contemporary social, economic, institutional, and technological changes are reshaping the experiences and responsibilities of parents and caregivers.

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