Child Effects on Adults

Bell and Harper's 1977 book explores the reciprocal relations between parents and their offspring, challenging intellectual apartheid and incorporating research findings in mammalian biology. Their bidirectional approach aims to offset empirical prejudices in child-care sciences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 16 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

It is common to consider the impact that parents have on their children; this title, originally published in 1977, takes a different approach by shifting the focus and revealing a subject that is equally important and fascinating. The authors, both professional psychologists, present their findings under three major headings: History, Theories, and Research Approaches and Concepts and Findings. These sections discuss the various social, psychological, and biological influences that children exert on their parents.

Bell and Harper take a strong stance against the intellectual segregation that prevents behavioral scientists from exploring the continuity of interaction processes from other animals to humans. They include substantial research findings in mammalian biology to illustrate more precisely the reciprocal relations between parents and their offspring. Their bidirectional approach to the study of child-rearing aims to counteract the empirical biases that have previously dominated the field of child-care sciences.

In the History section, the authors provide an overview of the historical development of the study of parent-child relationships. They trace the roots of the field back to ancient times and discuss the contributions of various scholars and theorists throughout history. The authors also highlight the changing societal attitudes towards parenting and the impact of these attitudes on the study of parent-child relationships.

The Theories section explores the various theories that have been proposed to explain the nature of parent-child relationships. The authors discuss the different perspectives on parenting, such as the traditional view of parenting as a biological and social process and the more contemporary view of parenting as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. They also examine the different theories of child development, such as Freudian, behavioral, and cognitive theories, and their implications for parent-child relationships.

The Research Approaches and Concepts and Findings section provides a comprehensive overview of the research methods used in the study of parent-child relationships. The authors discuss the various empirical studies that have been conducted in this field, including observational studies, experimental studies, and longitudinal studies. They also discuss the different research designs used in these studies, such as cross-sectional studies, longitudinal studies, and experimental studies, and the advantages and disadvantages of each design.

The authors also present their findings based on the research conducted in the field. They discuss the various social, psychological, and biological influences that children exert on their parents. They explore the different types of relationships that exist between parents and their children, such as attachment relationships, conflict relationships, and cooperative relationships. They also examine the factors that contribute to healthy parent-child relationships, such as parental support, communication, and discipline, and the factors that can disrupt these relationships, such as parental conflict, mental health problems, and substance abuse.

In conclusion, this title offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the complex and multifaceted nature of parent-child relationships. The authors' bidirectional approach to the study of child-rearing is intended to counteract the empirical biases that have previously dominated the field of child-care sciences. By presenting their findings under three major headings and including substantial research findings in mammalian biology, the authors provide a rich and detailed account of the social, psychological, and biological influences that children exert on their parents. This title is a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers interested in understanding and promoting healthy parent-child relationships.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367483524