Genitoriale

Genitoriale is an Italian adjective meaning relating to parents or the parental role. It derives from genitore, the noun for parent, and is used to describe aspects of parenting and the parent–child relationship. In Italian, it is generally translated as parental, with the specific sense depending on context.

In sociology and psychology, genitoriale covers the parental role, responsibilities, and the influence of parenting on child development. Common phrases include ruolo genitoriale, funzioni genitoriali, responsabilità genitoriale, and stili genitoriali (parenting styles). The latter often references established typologies of parenting styles, such as authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful.

The term also appears in public health and law, in expressions such as genitorialità (parenthood), genitorialità responsabile (responsible parenthood), and diritti e doveri genitoriali (parental rights and duties). It is widely used in Italian policy documents, educational materials, and scholarly literature to discuss the duties, rights, and social expectations associated with raising children.

Genitoriale is gender-neutral; when a male or female parent is meant, Italian usually specifies paterno or materno. In English-language contexts, parental is the standard translation, with genitoriale primarily appearing in Italian academic, policy, or media texts.