Why have the minutiae of how parents raise their children become routine sources of public debate and policy making? This book provides in-depth answers to these features drawing on a wide range of sources from sociology, history, anthropology and psychology, covering developments in both Europe and North America.      

Introduction; Ellie Lee PART I: PARENTING CULTURE 1. Intensive Parenting and the Expansion of Parenting; Charlotte Faircloth 2. Experts and Parenting Culture; Ellie Lee 3. The Politics of Parenting; Jan Macvarish 4. Who Cares for Children? The Problem of Intergenerational Contact; Jennie Bristow PART II: ESSAYS ON PARENTAL DETERMINISM 1. Policing Pregnancy: The Pregnant Woman who Drinks; Ellie Lee 2. The Problem of 'Attachment': The 'Detached' Parent; Charlotte Faircloth 3. Babies' Brains and Parenting Policy: The 'Insensitive' Mother; Jan Macvarish 4. Intensive Fatherhood? The (Un)involved Dad; Charlotte Faircloth 5. The Double Bind of Parenting Culture: Helicopter Parents and Cotton Wool Kids; Jennie Bristow Conclusion; Ellie Lee

“This book gives an account of western parenting culture in the 21st century and its historical development. … The authors aim to highlight parental determinism as a key issue of modern parenting culture which has provided a catalyst for transforming the everyday mundanities of parenting into issues of concern for the structures and institutions of western society. In these endeavours the authors, undoubtedly, succeed and, in doing so, provide an accessible yet scholarly read.” (Victoria Earley, Sociology, Vol. 50 (3), June, 2016)“This text would be useful for those new to parenting studies as it provides a clear and accessible overview of the field. The bullet pointed chapter summaries at the end of each chapter and the beginning of each essay makes the book a useful educational resource … . the detailed analysis and stimulating arguments in relation to specific areas of contemporary parenting culture makes the text worthwhile reading for those already knowledgeable of the existing literature.” (Michelle Webster, The Sociological Review, Vol. 63 (1), May, 2015)

“The authors of this timely collection are in the forefront of analyses of contemporary parenting. The discourses and practices of parenting are rarely held up for sustained critique. Readers of this book will be challenged to question the politics and rationales of parenting cultures in this provocative and cogently argued book.” (Deborah Lupton, University of Sydney, Australia)“This terrific collection of essays probes and destroys many of the reigning orthodoxies that have turned 21st century parenting into an activity marked by cultural and individual anxiety and the over-involvement of experts and policymakers. The scholars contributing to this volume together make a profound contribution to the study of parenting culture.” (Janet Golden, Rutgers University, USA)“This is a much needed book that challenges popular political rhetoric about parents and families. The authors accurately capture the ‘double bind’ that affects parents as they try to meet all the expectations put upon them. Various parenting ideals are skewered and dispatched by the authors - if only more educators and politicians would read this!” (Charlotte Haines Lyon, York St John University, UK)

"This important book explores and challenges current orthodoxies about parenting [...] it is important to give [this] work a proper hearing to deepen our understanding of what parenting culture is and how it can impact on the lives and decisions of the parents we support." Alex Bollen "The authors of this timely collection are in the forefront of analyses of contemporary parenting. The discourses and practices of parenting are rarely held up for sustained critique. Readers of this book will be challenged to question the politics and rationales of parenting cultures in this provocative and cogently argued book." - Deborah Lupton, University of Sydney, Australia "This terrific collection of essays probes and destroys many of the reigning orthodoxies that have turned 21st century parenting into an activity marked by cultural and individual anxiety and the over-involvement of experts and policymakers. The scholars contributing to this volume together make a profound contribution to the study of parenting culture." - Janet Golden, Rutgers University, USA "One of the areas of public policy in which science is most egregiously abused is that of early childhood development. In Parenting Culture Studies, Ellie Lee and colleagues at the University of Kent present a range of critical voices in relation to the influential concept of 'parental determinism'. This is the notion that poor parenting is the cause of most (if not all) ills of modern society, justifying comprehensive professional intervention starting from the moment of conception and continuing throughout childhood. In particular, contributors challenge the use of dubious neuroscientific claims (persuasively illustrated by colourful MRI scans) about the vulnerability of the infant brain to environmental influences to legitimise intensive early intervention programmes." Sense about Science