This paper aims to show that, while there are limits on what parents can do, parents can play a key role in their children's future by helping them deal with the struggle against antagonistic peer groups and a hostile
culture. In an effort to demonstrate this role, the paper looks at how much
influence a parent has on adolescent
behavior and, if the parents loses influence at some point, whether the amount of time parents spend with their children can affect the children's ability to be influenced by
peers or whether peers are more influential than parents. Also discussed are ways that parents can regain control of a child who has gotten out of control due to negative peer influences.