NASW Press Releases Book on Parenting Styles 

New Book by Joanne Carlson Illuminates Parent-Teen Relationships

WASHINGTON, DC— Adolescence is a difficult developmental period for parents and teenagers alike and the one that sends many parents searching for information or psychological help.  Although there are certainly numerous books available on parenting, the majority of them are focused on younger children, and the literature concerning adolescents focuses on normal or problematic teen behavior.  The Parent Effect : How Parenting Style Impacts Adolescent Behavior and Personality Development, by Joanne E. Carlson, MSW,  is different in that it identifies parenting styles on the basis of the parent’s underlying issues, motivations and behaviors and explores how these child rearing practices affect the parent-teen relationship, the adolescent’s behavior and their long-term personality development.

The Parent Effect identifies five parenting styles in a creative and contemporary manner:

• ·         The “My House--My Rules Parent” (Controlling)
• ·         The “Cool Parent” (Permissive)
• ·         The “Your Life Is My Life Parent” (Enmeshed)
• ·         The “Not Now, I'm Busy Parent” (Neglectful)
• ·         The “Easy-Going Parent” (Balanced)

Parenting styles are identified and defined, and the sources and causes of different parent styles are addressed in detail. Each chapter then delves into various teen reactions (both positive and negative) and provides a description of the impact on the teens’ personality.

“The Parent Effect strives to respond to an unmet need in the field of parenting adolescents and psychological information,” says Carlson. “It is an important resource for parents seeking information on dealing with their teens. Teachers, coaches, youth ministers and psychotherapists will also find the book useful.”

Included in The Parent Effect are suggestions and exercises that provide for personal assessment and change in parenting style. This section addresses those issues in parents’ lives that shape interaction with their teenagers

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with nearly 145,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

NASW Press is a leading scholarly press in the social sciences. It serves faculty, practitioners, agencies, libraries, clinicians, and researchers throughout the United States and abroad. Known for attracting expert authors, the NASW Press delivers professional information to hundreds of thousands of readers through its scholarly journals, books, and reference works.