Emily Oster says parents should be focused on raising independent children. Her kids walk alone to school and don't have social media.

Courtesy of A McAdams

• Professor Emily Oster aims to empower parents with data and research.
• Her most recent book is a guide for parents who are pregnant again after complications.
• As her own kids enter the teen years, she's focused on fostering independence and limiting tech.

Emily Oster has spent her career relaying the same message to overly anxious parents: relax — most of your decisions will turn out fine in the end.

What makes her different from...