1. Chapter 4
Ecology of Parenting

2. What makes a good parent?
Prologue
What makes a good parent?

3. Where do we get our values and information about how we should parent?
What is a “good” parent (in terms of society, the child, the self)?
How do children influence parenting?

4. Parenting – means implanting a serious of decisions about the socialization of one’s children

5. Fig. 4-1, p. 130 Figure 4.1: An Ecological Model of Human Development.
Parenting is the means by which the family socializes the child.
Fig. 4-1, p. 130

6. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Political ideology
Most traditional societies subscribe to an aristocratic political ideology, or government by the highest-ranking class individuals
Many modern societies such as the United States, subscribe to a democratic political ideology

7. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Political ideology
Historically, some have believed that one’s main purpose was to serve God or one’s country. Others believe in serving the family or one’s self

8. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Culture
There are three universal parenting goals:
Ensuring physical health and survival
Developing behavioral capacities for economic self-maintenance
Instilling behavioral capacities for maximizing cultural values such as morality, prestige, and achievement

9. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Culture
How various cultures prioritize these universal parenting goals may explain differences in maternal behavior toward infants
Culture, economics, and children’s behavior

10. Figure 4.2: Dimensions of Sociocultural Characteristics and Socialized Behavior.
The behavior emphasized in children is related to the social and economic structure of the culture.
Fig. 4-2, p. 134

11. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Socioeconomic status (SES)
A family’s SES is its rank or position within society
Parental occupations and children’s behavior

12. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Ethnicity/Religion
The cooperative/interdependent (collective orientation)
Authority roles tend to be hierarchical
Communication patterns vary
Display of emotions vary
Discipline/guidance
Skills emphasis

13. Macrosystem influences on parenting
Competitive/independent (individualistic) orientation
Authority roles
Communication patterns vary
Displays of emotions vary
Discipline/guidance of children
Skills emphasis

14. Attachment

15. Video Question
Discuss the importance of consistent and responsive caregiving to a child’s emotional health and well-being.

16. Table 4-1, p. 144

17. Chronosystem influences on parenting
Historical trends
Colonial America
Parenting was adult-centered
Tradition and religion influences child-rearing practices
Early childhood was viewed “as a negative period of life…”
There were ideas from many philosophers

18. Chronosystem influences on parenting
Historical trends
Nineteenth century
G. Stanly Hall

19. Chronosystem influences on parenting
Historical trends
Twentieth century
John B. Watson
Benjamin Spock
Jean Piaget
Trends in American child-rearing

20. Chronosystem influences on parenting
Family Dynamics
Children’s characteristics
Age
Temperament
Gender
Presence of a disability

21. Chronosystem influences on parenting
Family Dynamics
Family Characteristics
Size
Configuration
Parent’s life stages
Marital quality

22. Fig. 4-3, p. 157 Figure 4.3: Dimensions of Parenting Styles.
Source: Based on Maccoby and Martin, 1983
Fig. 4-3, p. 157

23. Parenting styles Microsystem influences: Between parent and child
Attachment—an outcome of sensitive responsive caregiving
Self-regulation and prosocial behavior

24. Parenting styles
Diana Baumrind classified preschool children into three groups based on their behavior
Competent children
Withdrawn children
Immature children

25. Parenting styles
Baumrind determined three classifications of child-rearing
Authoritative
Authoritarian
Permissive

26. Table 4-2, p. 160

28. Table 4-3, p. 162

29. Parenting Styles Mesosystem influences: between parents and others
School
Community

30. Table 4-4, p. 164

31. Appropriate parenting practices
Developmental appropriateness
Guidance and discipline

32. Figure 4.4: Parental Practices: Guidance and Discipline.
Fig. 4-4, p. 166

33. Inappropriate Parenting Practices
Child maltreatment: Abuse and neglect
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Correlates and consequences of child maltreatment

34. Inappropriate Parenting Practices
The family and maltreatment
Often parents have a history of being maltreated
Parents who were abused as children are prone to character and behavior disorders, self-doubt, and internal anger
Parents who have emotional problems, financial problems, stress, lack knowledge about child development, and are immature may neglect or abuse

35. Inappropriate Parenting Practices
The family and maltreatment
Abusive parents often have unrealistic expectations of their children
Depression and alcoholism have been linked to abuse
Abusive parents often look to their children to fulfill needs unmet in their own childhood

36. Inappropriate Parenting Practices
The child and maltreatment
Certain physical and psychological characteristics have been associated more often with abused children than with non-abused children
Children who are more difficult than average to care for seem more often to be subjected to maltreatment

37. Figure 4.5: An Ecological Model of Risk and Resilient Factors in Child Maltreatment.
Sources: Adapted from Parke and Lewis, 1981, p. 171; Cicchetti and Lynch, 1993
Fig. 4-5, p. 171

38. Inappropriate Parenting Practices
The community and maltreatment
Abusive families tend to be isolated
The line between physical abuse and acceptable discipline sometimes depends on the interpreter (society)