Examines clinical and methodological issues inherent in assessing mini
mal parenting competence, and considers the implications of these issu
es for psychological practice. Issues addressed include (a) differing
assumptions about the criteria for judging minimal parenting competenc
e, (b) limitations of psychological tests for measuring parenting fitn
ess, (c) situational influences on the assessment process, and (d) lim
itations in the interpretation of assessment findings for defining ind
ividuals or forecasting future behavior. Specific dimensions of assess
ment potentially relevant to parenting competence are considered in li
ght of research. Four features of the assessment process are recommend
ed based on the review: (a) clarification of referral questions, (b) u
se of parenting-specific measures, (c) articulation of parenting stren
gths and weaknesses, and (d) conservative interpretation and report of
findings.