Ancient Parenting

What if the best parenting advice isn’t new?

In Ancient Parenting, Gallup Principal Economist and father of four Jonathan T. Rothwell explores what the world’s best parents do differently to raise thriving children.

Drawing on Gallup studies and evidence from dozens of countries, Rothwell presents research showing that parenting is a far stronger predictor of children’s mental health and wellbeing than family income, education, race or social status. His findings challenge conventional thinking about what children need most.

At the heart of the book are two essential qualities: responsiveness and demandingness.

Responsive parents meet their children’s needs with warmth and affection. They remain calm, emotionally steady and kind, and adapt their parenting to each child’s unique nature.

Demanding parents cultivate virtues and strong moral character. They establish clear rules and expectations and consistently enforce them. They also use reason and good judgment to anticipate and prevent problems.

The best parents combine both approaches while nurturing each child’s unique strengths, helping children become resilient, capable and fulfilled adults.

Exploring evolutionary science, ancient philosophy and thousands of years of human history, Rothwell reveals how closely modern research aligns with what generations of parents understood intuitively. Without romanticizing the past, he challenges fashionable parenting advice and shows how families can reclaim timeless wisdom to raise happier, stronger, more virtuous children.

At a time of growing concern about youth mental health, Ancient Parenting offers a hopeful, evidence-based message: Parents matter more than we think.

Includes an assessment to learn your CliftonStrengths®.