Parenting Education

Strong, healthy families are central to the functioning of our society, but they need the support of the community in order to fulfil their role as primary educators of the next generation effectively

Bringing children into the world and parenting them to become well rounded productive members of society is the desire of all parents. In all facets of life, training and education underpin the skills required for any area of work. Parenting education should be seen as a regular activity undertaken by parents at various developmental stages of a child's life. Parenting education should be seen as a good investment and a preventative measure.

Summary of Key Policy Positions

· Parenting education is one of a raft of measures that enables families to become strong and healthy

· Parenting education has a preventative and rehabilitative value for the emotional, intellectual, social and physical health of children.

· Parenting education enhances social capital

· of the community in general

· of the families and organizations which should co-operate in the development and delivery of parenting education.

· All parenting education should be in the best interests of the child.

· Parenting education is important throughout all the developmental stages and social transitions of children and adolescents, but is it is a priority in the early years of a child’s life (0-5 years), when universal parenting education services should be provided.

· Parenting education services and programs are best delivered via the organizations that families access as part of daily life and trust in as they care for their children.

· Governments have a key role in funding and promoting parent education, and providing incentives to parents to attend.

· Parent education services should cater for diverse communities and populations including: men; different cultural, religious, socio-economic and demographic populations; and geographical areas.

· Parenting education should be delivered in a wide range of modes using relevant conventional methods and modern technology and communications

· Research has shown that one of the primary protectors of children is a healthy relationship between their mother and father. Parenting education should emphasise the importance of strong marriages to a child’s wellbeing.

Implications of this policy for parenting education policies and programs

This policy provides a platform on which a range of parenting strategies and initiatives may be based. WAA is committed to joining policy discussion about parent education based on the underlying values and principles defined here.

WAA would like to see

· The ‘normalisation’ of parenting education so that becomes as expected a part of becoming a parent as is the father attending the birth of his children

· That programs be adequately funded and accessible to those in most need including those in remote and indigenous communities.

· That the content and delivery of programs be of the highest quality

· That consideration be given to incentives to encourage participation in parenting education programs.