Socialization Socialization (text): the process by which an individual becomes a member of a particular culture and takes on its values, beliefs and other behaviors in order to function within it. How do people in the USA get children to develop the qualities that are thought to be important?

You have a teenage daughter. You have planned a family visit to her grandmother’s birthday party. Right before you get ready to go, your daughter says, “Mom/Dad, I was planning on spending time with my friends tonight; is it OK if I don’t go? Your teenage son is doing poorly at school. It is the week before final exams, and he says that he has asked to work extra shifts at his part-time job. You think that he should study for his finals and not work more shifts. He says that he doesn’t want to-he wants the extra money and likes the work. How would you handle this situation? What would you say and/or do?

Baumrind: 3 parenting “styles” in middle class American samples Authoritative parenting Firm control. Compliance, combined with “autonomy” Negotiation Reasoning Authoritative parenting and power assertion Parental warmth, caring

Authoritativeness – example items Once family policy has been established, I discuss the reasoning behind the policy with my children. I make sure that my children know what I expect of them, but I make sure that my children feel free to discuss those expectations with me when they feel that they are unreasonable. I take my children’s opinions into consideration when making family decisions but I do not decide for something simply because the children want it. I have clear standards of behavior for my children but I am willing to adjust those standards to the needs of each individual child in my family. I give my children direction for their behavior and activities and expect them to follow my direction, but I am willing to listen to my children’s concerns and discuss that direction with them. If I make a decision that hurts one of my children, I am willing to discuss that decision with them and to admit it if I have made a mistake.

Baumrind: 3 parenting styles, continued. Authoritarian parenting Restrictive control – obedience, respect for authority Reasoning, negotiation Warmth

Parental Authoritarianism – example items Even if my children don’t agree with me, I feel that it is for their own good if they are forced to conform to what I think is right. Whenever I tell my children to do something, I expect them to do it immediately without asking any questions. I do not allow my children to question any decision I have made. I feel that more force should be used by parents in order to get their children to behave the way they are supposed to. I feel that wise parents should teach their children early just who is boss in the family. I let my children know what I expect of them in the family and insist that they conform to these expectations simply out of respect for my authority.

Permissive Parenting Passive acceptance Views of control Warmth

Parental Permissiveness – example items I feel that in a well-run home, children should have their way in the family as often as parents do I seldom give my children expectations and guidelines for their behavior I do what the children in the family want when making decisions I allow my children to decide most things for themselves, without a lot of direction from me I allow my children to form their own point of view on family matters and decide for themselves what they are going to do I don’t see myself as responsible for directing and guiding my children’s behavior

Parenting Styles Maccoby and Martin, 1983: Parenting styles can be categorized on two dimensions: warmth/responsiveness & control/demandingness A fourth category implied: Uninvolved or rejecting-neglecting.

Parenting styles and child outcomes – middle class USA Self-esteem, social interactions, academic outcomes, social responsibility Authoritarian Authoritative Permissive Rejecting-neglecting (a 4 th style) **Parenting styles and children’s assertiveness

Anglo-North-American Research: Parental Correlates of Authoritarian and Authoritative Parenting Authoritarianism (and authoritativeness) can be thought of as existing on a continuum Authoritarianism and ways of thinking and feeling about children; perspective-taking Authoritative parenting and ways of thinking and feeling about children; perspective-taking Parental emotion and cognition may be important in child outcomes

Collectivism and Parenting What kinds of characteristics might people in more collectivist countries think it is important for children to develop? How do they encourage them to develop these qualities?

Authoritarian parenting and outcomes in non-European groups In Asian, Hispanic, and African American samples, associations between authoritarian parenting (highly directive parenting) and negative child outcomes are less consistent than for middle class European American samples E.g., Carlson and Harwood (2003) – attachment Ispa et al. (2004) E.g., Chao (2001) – school effort, closeness to parents E.g., Leung and Lam – academic achievement

Why the less consistent association? Authoritarian parenting and parental goals in groups of European and non-European background. Chao (1994) Confucianism Authoritarian parenting and parental thoughts, emotions Asian samples: Two types of authoritarian parenting

Authoritative parenting and outcomes in non-European groups Associations between authoritative parenting and positive child outcomes also less consistent E.g., Chao, 2001 E.g., Dornbusch et al., 1987 Authoritativeness and promotion of assertiveness Authoritative parenting; esp. negotiation, may not be a strategy of choice