TheHandbook of Parenting represents a single volume contextualization of the growing level of interest in research, educational and professional activity within the broadly defined field of parenting. Contributions come from a diverse range of disciplines and provide an accessible `map′ of the major debates in theory, research and practice in this vast and exciting field.

TheHandbook of Parenting brings together in a single volume much of the theoretical and empirical knowledge and aspects of professional activity within the broadly defined field of parenting. Contributions are presented from an internationally renowned group of scholars known for their work in a range of disciplines, including child and family psychology, education and family studies, providing an accessible map of the major debates in theory, research and practice in this important and exciting field.

The material is presented comprehensively. It encompasses essential policy and professional issues in all the main areas of current concern from parenting in culturally divergent settings, to parenting children with special needs in areas of physical, mental, social and educational functioning, to looking at ways in which the wider community and technological advances may be able to provide parenting support.

Published in a single-volume format, this handbook will prove an invaluable and essential resource. Academics, researchers, practitioners and advanced students in a host of disciplines will gain from its breadth, wealth of information and enormous insight into the principal issues related to parenting theory and practice in the 21st century. The distinctive contribution of this handbook is to present a vast body of research and other information in a manner that is usable by practitioners in a wide range of child and parental support activities.

PART ONE: KEY CONCEPTS
Parenting – An Introduction - Masud Hoghughi
The Social Context of Parenting - David Utting and Gillian Pugh
Parenting in Social and Economic Adversity - Christine Puckering
Parenting across the Lifespan - Martin Herbert
Parental Influences on Vulnerability and Resilience - Carole A Kaplan and Julie Owens
Parenting in Culturally Divergent Settings - Lee M Pachter and Thyde Dumont-Mathieu
Religious Influences on Parenting - Stephen Frosh
Parenting in Restructured and Surrogate Families - Jan Pryor
Sexual Orientation and Parenting - Charlotte J Patterson and Erin L Sutfin
Grandparenting and Extended Support Networks - Peter K Smith and Linda M Drew
PART TWO: FUNCTIONAL AREAS
Parenting and Children′s Physical Health - Elizabeth Soliday
Parenting Chronically Ill Children - The Scope and Impact of Pediatric Parenting Stress - Randi Streisand and Kenneth P Tercyak
Parenting Influences on Intellectual Development and Educational Achievement - Sally M Wade
Parenting Exceptional Children - Susan McGaw
Parenting Anitsocial Behavior - Dana K Smith, Peter G Sprengelmeyer and Kevin J Moore
Parenting Antisocial Children and Adolescents - Beth A Kotchick et al
Parenting and Mental Health - Colleen S Conley et al
Parenting Children with Mental Health Problems - Fiona K Miller and Jennifer M Jenkins
PART THREE: PARENT SUPPORT
Assessing and Delivering Parent Support - Harriet Heath
Community-Based Support for Parents - Judy Hutchings and Carolyn Webster-Stratton
Towards a Multi-Level Model of Parenting Intervention - Matthew R Sanders and Alan Ralph
E-Parenting - Nicholas Long