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Incompetent parenting: its causes and cures

D T Lykken1

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455-0344, USA.

Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|January 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Parenting failures are increasing unsocialized youth. Providing alternative environments for at-risk children and exploring parental licensure are proposed solutions to improve child socialization.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Policy

Background:

  • A rise in unsocialized youth is observed.
  • Current parenting practices are identified as a primary cause.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the causes of increased unsocialized youth.
  • To propose solutions for improving child socialization.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical analysis of parenting and socialization.
  • Examination of existing and proposed alternative child-rearing structures.

Main Results:

  • Parenting deficiencies (overburdened, incompetent, sociopathic) are linked to youth unsocialization.
  • Early childhood is critical for socialization, akin to language acquisition.

Conclusions:

  • Alternative rearing environments (parental training, adoption, foster care, group homes, boarding schools) are necessary for high-risk children.
  • Parental licensure is suggested as a long-term solution to ensure adequate parenting standards and protect child welfare.

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