This article explores cultural approaches to parenting, emphasizing the importance of understanding how cultural beliefs and practices shape parenting behaviors and child development. It discusses the philosophical and methodological considerations of cultural approaches, including a cross-cultural study of parenting. The article highlights the universals, specifics, and distinctions between form (behavior) and function (meaning) in parenting as embedded in culture. It concludes with social policy implications and future directions of cultural approaches to parenting. Cultures are characterized by deep-rooted beliefs about how individuals should feel, think, and act. Cross-cultural studies show that different cultures have distinct beliefs and behaviors regarding parenting. These beliefs and behaviors are passed down through generations and shape the values and competencies of new members of the group. Cultural variations in parenting beliefs and behaviors are significant, whether observed within different ethnic groups in one society or across societies worldwide. Culture influences how parents care for their children, shaping their caregiving practices and the development of children. Cultural cognitions and practices communicate consistent cultural messages. For example, in the United States, personal choice is rooted in principles of liberty and freedom, while in other cultures, different values may prevail. Cultural-specific patterns of childrearing adapt to each society's specific setting and needs. For instance, Aka parents in central Africa maintain closer proximity to infants due to their nomadic lifestyle, while Ngandu parents in the same region leave infants alone more often. Generational, social, and media images of caregiving and childhood play play a significant role in shaping parenting cognitions and practices. Parenting embeds cultural models and meanings into basic psychological processes, which maintain or transform the culture. Reciprocally, culture expresses and perpetuates itself through parenting. Parents bring cultural proclivities to interactions with their children and interpret characteristics within their cultural frame of reference, encouraging or discouraging them based on their cultural norms. Cultural comparisons of parenting usually involve quasi-experimental designs, which are more challenging to interpret than randomized experiments. Cultural comparisons require careful consideration of variables that may confound results, such as personality, acculturation level, education, and socioeconomic status. Various procedures are available to untangle rival explanations for cultural comparisons, such as including covariates in the research design. Similarities and differences in parenting across cultures are significant. For example, a study comparing natural mother-infant interactions in Argentina, Belgium, Israel, Italy, and the United States found that mothers differed in every domain assessed. However, mothers and infants in different cultures showed a noteworthy degree of attunement and specificity in their interactions. Cultural approaches to parenting emphasize the distinction between form (behavior) and function (meaning) in parenting. While some parenting practices may be universal, their functions can vary across cultures. For example, child-directed speech is a universal practice, but its function may differ in different cultural contexts. Cultural studies inform not only about quantitative aspects but also about qualitative meaning of parents' beliefs and behaviors. Social policy and futureThis article explores cultural approaches to parenting, emphasizing the importance of understanding how cultural beliefs and practices shape parenting behaviors and child development. It discusses the philosophical and methodological considerations of cultural approaches, including a cross-cultural study of parenting. The article highlights the universals, specifics, and distinctions between form (behavior) and function (meaning) in parenting as embedded in culture. It concludes with social policy implications and future directions of cultural approaches to parenting. Cultures are characterized by deep-rooted beliefs about how individuals should feel, think, and act. Cross-cultural studies show that different cultures have distinct beliefs and behaviors regarding parenting. These beliefs and behaviors are passed down through generations and shape the values and competencies of new members of the group. Cultural variations in parenting beliefs and behaviors are significant, whether observed within different ethnic groups in one society or across societies worldwide. Culture influences how parents care for their children, shaping their caregiving practices and the development of children. Cultural cognitions and practices communicate consistent cultural messages. For example, in the United States, personal choice is rooted in principles of liberty and freedom, while in other cultures, different values may prevail. Cultural-specific patterns of childrearing adapt to each society's specific setting and needs. For instance, Aka parents in central Africa maintain closer proximity to infants due to their nomadic lifestyle, while Ngandu parents in the same region leave infants alone more often. Generational, social, and media images of caregiving and childhood play play a significant role in shaping parenting cognitions and practices. Parenting embeds cultural models and meanings into basic psychological processes, which maintain or transform the culture. Reciprocally, culture expresses and perpetuates itself through parenting. Parents bring cultural proclivities to interactions with their children and interpret characteristics within their cultural frame of reference, encouraging or discouraging them based on their cultural norms. Cultural comparisons of parenting usually involve quasi-experimental designs, which are more challenging to interpret than randomized experiments. Cultural comparisons require careful consideration of variables that may confound results, such as personality, acculturation level, education, and socioeconomic status. Various procedures are available to untangle rival explanations for cultural comparisons, such as including covariates in the research design. Similarities and differences in parenting across cultures are significant. For example, a study comparing natural mother-infant interactions in Argentina, Belgium, Israel, Italy, and the United States found that mothers differed in every domain assessed. However, mothers and infants in different cultures showed a noteworthy degree of attunement and specificity in their interactions. Cultural approaches to parenting emphasize the distinction between form (behavior) and function (meaning) in parenting. While some parenting practices may be universal, their functions can vary across cultures. For example, child-directed speech is a universal practice, but its function may differ in different cultural contexts. Cultural studies inform not only about quantitative aspects but also about qualitative meaning of parents' beliefs and behaviors. Social policy and future