Bringing together leading authorities, this Handbook reviews the breadth of current knowledge on socialization processes from earliest childhood through adolescence and beyond. Contributors present cutting-edge theories and findings pertaining to family, peer, school, community, media, and other influences on individual development. The important, growing areas of genetics and biology, cultural psychology, and affective science are given particular attention. Essential topics include the effects on children of different parenting strategies and family structures; factors that shape gender development, emotional competence, and achievement motivation; the role of relationships in the socialization process; and strategies for intervention with antisocial youth.