Parent Education: Empowerment or Control?

Abstract

This article describes the recent growth in interest in both government circles and elsewhere in the subject of education for parenthood. A brief history of this emerging area of interest is provided, and the article goes on to consider the range of interests involved, reflecting on their possible motivations. The question of ‘who benefits?’ is important, it is argued. The article concludes that despite widespread claims of considerable success by the proponents of such programmes, a greater degree of rigour is needed in assessing their achievements so far.