While there has been increased attention placed upon the inadequacy of
parenting by persons with mental retardation, such attention does lit
tle to increase our understanding of the complexities of parenting. A
refocusing of research and intervention efforts is needed to examine t
he concomitants of adequacy of parenting. What we know about both the
inadequacy as well as the adequacy of parenting by persons with mental
retardation and the limitations of the information upon which we base
these statements is reviewed. New foci are suggested in understanding
both adequacy and the inadequacy of parenting by persons with mental
retardation.