Neuroparenting: the Myths and the Benefits. An Ethical Systematic Review

Abstract

Parenting books and early childhood policy documents increasingly refer to neuroscience to support their parenting advice. This trend, called ‘neuroparenting’ has been subject to a growing body of sociological and ethical critical examination. The aim of this paper is to review this critical literature on neuroparenting. We identify three main arguments: that there is a gap between neuroscientific findings and neuroparenting advice, that there is an implicit normativity in the translation from neuroscience to practice, and that neuroparenting is a form of neoliberal self-management. We will critically discuss these arguments and make suggestions for ethically responsible forms of neuroparenting that can foster child development but avoid pitfalls.

The reported effects of neuroscience literacy and belief in neuromyths among parents of adolescents

“…Therefore, the field of neuroscientific research may require neuroscience communication specialists, as suggested by Dekker et al [2012]. A recent investigation by Snoek and Horstkötter [2021] shows that there is still a gap between (neuro)science and its applicability to parenting practices. When translating (neuro)scientific findings to practical advice, they suggest that not only policy makers and media, but also parents themselves should critically examine the findings and should be encouraged to examine their own, often implicit ideas about neuroscientific findings.…”

“…The results show that even though parents might have negative views on adolescent brain development, they still understand their children's behaviours and their negative views seem not to be reflected in their self-reported parenting behaviours. A better understanding of the adolescent brain may help parents to understand the behaviour of their adolescents and help them even to implicitly develop new parenting skills [Snoek & Horstkötter, 2021] with high levels of support and low levels of controlling behaviours. Additionally, these low levels of controlling behaviours of parents could also be explained by a unique characteristic of adolescence; the adolescents' increasing demand for more autonomy.…”