What is Best for Children?

"A11 of us want our children to be healthy, happy, and well-adjusted. We want them to be articulate, well-mannered, and eager to take on increasing responsibilities as they move towards adulthood. What can be done to improve the odds that we obtain these desirable outcomes for children? What is best for children?

"My reading of the relevant literature persuades me that most of the things that are good for children are in the power of their parents to effect. This is good news. The way children end up is not a random process driven by luck. It is, largely, the outcome of actions, attitudes, and choices made by their parents (biological or otherwise) as well as, to a lesser extent, some policies which can either foster or impede the healthy development of children."