Parental socialisation is a classical topic that is mainly studied through the so-called two-dimensional (affection and severity) theoretical model of four parental styles (authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent and neglectful). Emerging research in recent years questions whether the authoritative style (affection and severity) is always the ideal style for the successful socialisation of children in all cultural contexts. This symposium includes four papers analysing the relationship of parental socialisation styles to observed differences in children's psychosocial development. Children's psychosocial development is analysed through well-being and distress, drug use, academic performance and self-concept in order to identify the optimal parental style. The symposium also addresses parental socialisation and its relationship to psychosocial development beyond adolescence, as well as the study of the four families (i.e., indulgent, authoritative, authoritarian or neglectful) in an Eastern society such as China. The different guests review the association between the four parenting styles with differences in adjustment and psychosocial development across multiple indicators, at different points in the life cycle (adolescence and adulthood) and in different cultural contexts (Europe and Asia). The results show that children from affectionate but not harsh (lenient) families show equal or even better psychosocial development than their peers from affectionate but harsh (authoritative) families. In line with emerging research, the results of the present symposium seriously question whether the harsh and affectionate (authoritative) style is universally beneficial in all cultural contexts. Implications for families, school and society are also discussed.