Caring and Character: How Close Parental Bonds Foster Character Development in Children

Abstract

Portions of this chapter have been excerpted and modified from my book, "Raising Kids with Character: Developing Trust and Personal Integrity in Children" (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2006; see record 2006-05473-000). The book was originally published under the title Raising Children with Character: Parents, Trust, and the Development of Personal Integrity (Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 1999; see record 2000-07098-000). An upright character is our fundamental American value. Its image is everywhere--the men and women most admired in our nation's history are the very embodiment of strong character qualities: courage, ingenuity, loyalty, responsibility, and altruism. This chapter examines family character, parental love, forgiveness, tolerance, values, parent communication, schools, teacher-child relationships, citizenship, school-age children, troubled teens, access to good health care, and national goals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)