“Modern parenting is often confusing. Rapid demographic and technological change have reshaped family life in ways we are all struggling to understand, and news and social media coverage of family life often raises more questions than it answers. In this original and innovative volume, leading social scientists and family scholars look past the headlines to explain and clarify some of the most hotly debated (and sometimes sensationalized) issues in contemporary parenting. Meticulously researched yet enjoyably readable, this book provides parents, academics, policy makers, and family practitioners with a clear and accessible overview of the scientific evidence on the nature, joys, and challenges of 21st century parenting.”