Compiling essays authored by Benjamin Spock and published in popular magazines, this book explores current trends that have an impact on raising children. The chapters are: (1) "Teaching Values to Children," discussing important values to share, and the value of duties and responsibilities at an early age; (2) "Families," examining the changing family and including discussion of early or late childbearing, the second child, and preparing children for a good marriage; (3) "Contemporary Culture," exploring many parents' concerns such as challenges of working parents, risk of over-scheduling children, television influences, and adolescent sexuality; (4) "Discipline: Teaching Children Expectations for Behavior," invoking hesitancy in parenting as the major barrier to effective discipline and making suggestions for improving consistency; (5) "The Social Development of Children," discussing play, sibling rivalry, helping children who are not popular, peer pressure, and social comparison; and (6) "Education," highlighting the value of a warm, mutually respectful relationship between teacher and student and concluding with recommendations for improving public education to better meet the needs of children. (KB)