Parenting and socioemotional development in infancy and early childhood

Publication date: Available online 30 July 2018Source: Developmental ReviewAuthor(s): Heidi KellerAbstractThis paper is based in a conception of culture that is rooted in contextual/demographic parameters. It is argued that the degree of formal education is influencing the age of first parenthood, the number of children and family composition. Particular norms and values as well as behavioral conventions are related to the socio demographic milieus. Socialization goals, parenting beliefs and parenting behaviors are framed by these cultural models. Two prototypical cultural models, psychological autonomy with psychological relatedness, characteristic for Western middle class parents and hierarchical relatedness with action autonomy, characteristic for non Western rural farmers will be outlined with respect to children’s learning environments during infancy. Consequences for socioemotional development will be highlighted with respect to children’s socio emotional development. It is important to apply mixed method methodologies to assess local meaning systems along with behavioral observations. It is concluded that one system cannot be evaluated according the assumptions and values of another other system – a practice that unfortunately is widespread. Implications for application are discussed and ethical challenges are diagnosed.

Source: Developmental Review - July 31, 2018 Category: Child Development Source Type: research