Final answer:
Positive parental behaviors, particularly those associated with the authoritative parenting style, create a nurturing environment that can protect children from victimization and reduce delinquency, by promoting high self-esteem and social skills. The correct option is (A).
Step-by-step explanation:
Positive parental behaviors foster a supportive and nurturing environment (A), which contributes to insulating children from victimization and reduces risks for delinquency.
According to Diana Baumrind's theory of parenting styles, the authoritative parenting style, characterized by reasonable demands, consistent limits, warmth, affection, and attentiveness to the child's perspective, is encouraged in modern American society and is associated with children having high self-esteem and social skills.
This style contrasts markedly with other styles, such as the authoritarian or permissive approaches, which may not provide the same positive outcomes for children. Moreover, warm and healthy parent-child relationships are linked with positive outcomes like better grades and fewer behavioral problems across cultures.
Research also suggests certain parenting habits and exposures, such as ignoring the child's needs (C) or exposing children to violent media content (D), do not contribute to protecting children from victimization and may instead have harmful effects.
Authoritarian parenting can be overly harsh and devoid of the nurturing elements that support resilience, whereas uninvolved parenting might lead to negative emotional and social development.