119 The Need and Importance of Parenting Education Mani K J * , Jilly John Department of Social Work, Central University Kasaragod Email: * mmelvettom@gmail.com Abstract: Parents are the most responsible persons in the upbringing of the children. Positive parenting supports a child to become good person and citizen. We always think seriously about the value-based education, formation and training given to the children to be effective citizens of the society. However, we think less of the formation and education given to the parents who have to mould the behaviour and character of the children. In the modern society where the challenges to family life are more, where the parents struggle to meet the expectations of the children, a parent should be equipped to handle the responsibility of parenting with proper knowledge, attitude, aptitude and skills. If so, parents need proper training and education. Mixed methodology is used for the study. The result of this study shows that majority of the parents do not have any orientation or training in preparation to their marital life or parental responsibility. Hence, the study comes out with the most important suggestion of need and importance of parenting education in the modern society. Key Words: Parenting, Parenting Education, Upbringing of the Children, Developmental Stages of the Children, Challenges Faced by the Parents. 1. Introduction Parenting definitely is an art of upbringing the children. Responsible parenthood has to be learned by any parent. Training and formation is inevitable to be a successful father or mother. Reynolds (2003) explores in her article about Mindful Parenting, that training and education in parenting can make positive changes in both the parent and the children. Couples and young adults rely on their inherent capacity to be a parent from the experiences of being a child, or observing their parents or others involved in parenting-related activities. It is perplexing that one of the most stressful and yet relevant roles a human beings have less formal training or programs to enhance their capacities of parenting. These beliefs in one’s own abilities only get questioned if either the child or parents are affected due to the reciprocal impact of this role. Pearl, 6 (2), 117-132, August 2020