The Ethical and Social Significance of Parenting: A Philosophical Approach

SYNOPSIS

This article develops an account of the emotional dimension of minimally decent parenting, with reference to the capability approach to thinking about need. It outlines social interests at stake in ensuring children's healthy emotional development, and evaluates public policy implications of its account of children's emotional needs. Proposals to license parents are rejected in favor of increased public education around the needs of children and the demands of parenting, increased public recognition of the need for social supports for parenting, and more diffused social responsibility for detecting problematic parenting.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many thanks to Professors Fleming, Grusec, and Haley for organizing a very stimulating workshop on the social and biological determinants of parenting and for their helpful comments on this article.