authoritative parenting. Rules and expectations are clear, consistent, and explicable—“Because I said so” is anathema—with room for flexibility; praise and forgiveness trump punishment; parents welcome children’s input; developing children’s potential and autonomy is paramount. By the standards of the educated neurotics who would read (let alone write . . .) this book, this produces a good adult outcome—happy, emotionally and socially mature and fulfilled, independent and self-reliant.
