This monograph summarizes the research with an eye to several audiences (researchers, clinicians, educators) and with an emphasis on the questions that remain. 'Goodnow and Collins have presented us with a timely and unique set of essays on the development and function of parents' ideas. They review a selective body of literature, reflect on knowledge gaps about parents' ideas about the parenting function, and present a detailed research agenda...The chapters flow coherently with discussions of parents ideas and those ideas' characterisations, sources and consequences for parents and children...Goodnow and Collins have performed an exemplary service to the field expressed in their interdisciplinary organization of the study of parents ideas...This book is a must for anyone in the field, irrespective of his or her point of view.' - Contemporary Psychology; Reviewed by Irving E. Sigel'This is a superb text... Remembering that it is part of a series of essays on child development, I am of the opinion that the organisation of the chapters (the `story line') couldn't be better. The authors' style is readable and content is erudite without being offputting. I am really impressed by this book and believe it will make a contribution not only to developmental psychology, but also social psychology and my own field, clinical child psychology... The authors, Goodnow and Collins, are to be congratulated.' - Professor Martin Herbert (Director of Clinical Courses, University of Leicester).