Dr Debra Dunstan

Email: ddunstan@une.edu.au

Phone: (02) 6773 3764

What is Effective Parenting?

This new unit will be of interest to students in psychology, education, and health.  By studying this unit, students will develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to address key issues facing Australian families.  The unit content is linked to psychological theories of growth and development, but the focus in on equipping students with practical skills and resources for use in personal and professional contexts.

Topics

The focus of the unit is on two major parenting tasks: creating close emotional relationships, and supporting children's development in each stage from newborn to independent adulthood. The unit is divided into three topics: parenting tasks from birth to adulthood; skills for effective parenting; and, staying emotionally connected to children under diverse social and environmental conditions.

Why is it important?

Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation

C. Everett Koop

Parenting is an enduring and permanent role that commences at childbirth and continues throughout adulthood.  It can be intensive and demanding, but extremely rewarding. 

An effective parent creates a loving, safe and nurturing environment in which a child can grow and develop. Although it is perhaps the most important, influential and natural role one can fulfill, simply becoming a parent does not automatically equip us with the capacity to do a good job.  Whether or not we become a parent ourselves, we are all affected by parenting so it is valuable to understand the requirements of this critical role.

Career opportunities

The content of this unit will be of benefit to people whose occupation involves supporting children and families.

For more information on career opportunities using Psychology search the Graduate Careers Australia site or the Graduates Online site.

Some related links