There is substantial evidence that parents' approaches to raising and disciplining their children have a significant independent effect on their children's behavior. Evaluation studies indicate that well-planned training sessions can help parents improve their childrearing practices. Most parent training programs help parents identify their children's problem behavior, apply more appropriate consequences for their children's misbehavior, negotiate the resolution of problems with older children, and supervise their children more effectively. Some major issues that must be addressed before parent training can have a major impact on delinquency are making parent training affordable for families at risk, determining the effectiveness of parent training for minority families, and providing alternative approaches for families incapable of effective participation in parent training. Although the government's role in parent training and the socialization of children is limited, government efforts can help community organizations develop parent support groups, advice hotlines for parents, group training in parenting skills, and other low-cost programs that focus on family stability. 7 references, discussion questions. See NCJ 104208 for videotape.