Chapter 2 Families and Parents 43
individually oriented cultures provide children
with their own cribs, strollers, and play yards
(play pens). Babies go to sleep by themselves.
They also play for a few minutes without
the parent present. Drinking from a cup and
eating finger foods occur early. Babies cry
or call out to get attention. Babies are often
cared for at times by nonfamily members. On
the other hand, group-oriented cultures carry
their babies most of the day. Babies sleep
with mothers. They are often breast-fed on
demand through the toddler period. Babies
cry less because parents respond to their
needs before crying begins. Babies are most
often cared for within the extended family.
Through parenting, children learn their
family’s cultural values. Pride in family
cultural values is a vital aspect of children’s
healthy development. There is no “best”
child rearing method. Some families, in fact,
are bicultural, meaning that they promote
the teaching of two or more sets of family
cultural values. Children with parents from
different cultural backgrounds often are
bicultural because they want their children
to have the family’s “full heritage.” Other
families teach their children to be bicultural
so they can fit into the world of work as well
as the family.
In American society, most children are
exposed to many cultures. All children need
to appreciate other cultures. Parents often
begin teaching about diversity in the late
toddler or preschool years.
Cultural Differences
in Parenting
Area Individually Oriented Culture Group-Oriented Culture
Goal of parents Raise independent adult child (child
does tasks alone for the most part)
Raise interdependent adult child (child
views self as member of the group)
Communication during
childhood
Child speaks for himself or herself
Parent asks for child’s viewpoint
Parent is expressive with words
Parent speaks for child
Parent gives directives
Parent uses nonverbal cues, such
as making deep, long eye contact or
touching the head
Parent discipline style Parent and child negotiate the rules
and consequences of breaking the
rules as age-appropriate
Parent uses authority and control to set
rules and consequences to the rules
Consequences of
misbehavior
Parent reasons with child
Older children may have privilege
withdrawn
Parent punishes misbehavior
Misbehavior dishonors the family;
consequences can be severe
Parents helping children
as adults
Personal choice Moral obligation
Adult child’s relationship
with parents
Personal choice Obligation to parents
2-12 Parenting differs among cultural groups. Parenting differs even more among families of the same
cultural background.