Cultural and Societal Influences on Child Development

What is does socialization mean in regards to culture and child development?

What is Culture?

Culture is the collective knowledge, beliefs, values, behaviors, and practices of a group of like people. It is usually handed down from generation to generation through both formal and informal means (Groark, McCarthy, & Kirk, 2014, sec. 2.3).

Socialization to culture, race, and ethnicity is generally the family’s responsibility, but how this is done varies among families, from teaching children traditional songs and stories to preparing them to cope with discrimination (University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development, 2007a, as quoted in Groark, McCarthy, & Kirk, 2014, sec. 2.3).

Cultural and Societal Influences on Child Development

What role does culture and society play in regards to child development?

References

Culture and society will not necessarily dictate how a child will develop, but it does have a hand in how children are raised to react to the world they find them selves in. Every culture has a different way in which they believe children should be raised, in response this influence helps to shape the child.

~Chen X, Eisenberg N.(2012). Understanding Cultural Issues in Child Development: Introduction. Child Development Perspectives [serial online]. March 2012;6(1):1-4. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 4, 2016.

~Groark, C., McCarthy, S. & Kirk, A. (2014). Early child development: From theory to practice. Bridgepoint Education: San Diego, CA.

Rebecca Arnold

ECE 205 Introduction to Child Development

Instructor: Sara McBryde

February 4, 2016

Physically

It has been noted that parents in different cultures socialize children's self-control at different paces as well as in different ways (Chen & Eisenberg, 2012). Children who were raised with body contact and body stimulation display a more regulated behavior. Every culture also has its own views on children's activity as well as their eating habits. Those in certain cultures, are more likely to be overweight, while others who seemingly have the world going for them are more likely to be healthier.

How is this meaningful and relevant to my profession?

Cognitively

Socially

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory is based on the idea that social interaction and children’s participation in cultural activities are necessary for healthy development (Groark, McCarthy, & Kirk, 2014, sec. 3.4). It is felt that culture and social interaction have a heavy hand when it comes to cognitive development. Children who have social and even cultural interaction to guide cognitive development. Observation and imitation are intricate parts of play and help to advance a child's cognitive development.

The social impacts on children, once again depend on the culture in which they are raised. Those who are raised to keep quiet and to themselves are going to be more introverted than those raised in cultures in which children run free. A child given the chance to run around and who speaks with people of all ages will have a better comprehension of socially acceptable behavior and be more socially outgoing than those who are not.

How do Culture and Society Impact Children...

Having a better understanding of a child's cultural and societal influences will help to give me a better connection with a child. If a child is raised to be quiet and unobtrusive, then that child will not react well to activities and others who are loud and chaotic. Knowing a child's background and culture, will help me to make sure the child feels safe and comfortable in the setting that we see each other.

Emotionally

Each culture has it's own views on how emotions are handled. From the cultures of the west where emotions are known and mostly accepted to those in places like Japan where you hold yourself in reserve and sharing one's emotions is frowned upon. Like with many aspects of culture, whether either ways are good or bad, it depends on a person's perspective. Those of us who live in the west find it to be far more healthy if one shares their emotions, while those in other places find it to be a hindrance.

Cultural and Societal Influences on Child Development