In response to new problems facing parents and families, this book provides democratic parenting strategies that diverge from traditional autocratic methods and reflect the values of respect, shared responsibility, self-discipline, and social equality. The goal of the book is to create a new tradition in child raising that will help to foster the healthy development of children. The 11 chapters are: (1) "A New Tradition of Child Raising"; (2) "Psychological Principles for Understanding Children"; (3) "The Purposes of Children's Misbehaviour"; (4) "Identifying the Goals of Misbehaviour"; (5) "Encouragement"; (6) "A New Approach to Child Discipline--Rewards and Punishments or Behavioral Consequences"; (7) "Improving Parent-Child Relationships"; (8) "Adolescence"; (9) "Single-Parent Families and Step-Families"; (10) "Common Behavioural Problems in Children"; and (11) "Effective Communication." Concluding remarks note the four characteristics that develop in children when democratic principles of parenting are applied: respect, responsibility, resourcefulness, and responsiveness. Contains 21 references. (SW)