gender, parenting and family structures- majority vs minority

Gender, Parenting and Family Structures- Majority vs. Minority:

Gender, Parenting and Family Structures- Majority vs. Minority By: Ashley Loerts

Thesis and Main Topics:

Thesis and Main Topics Identify environmental factors that influence parenting structures in regards to social, economic, and political ideals. Differences in gender roles and the emphasis parents display in childrearing practices. Compare and contrast the majority vs. minority cultural values. What are the main ideals of each basic cultural family unit

Four Cultures Examined:

Four Cultures Examined Caucasian African American Hispanic Asian American

What determines the way a parent raises their children?:

What determines the way a parent raises their children? Parenting is an extension of the way one’s own parents were treated by their own caregivers as children. Interaction between a parent and child is less effective under financial stress, divorce, or illness. Although the function and basic structure is the same among different cultures, through research it has been shown that racial differences aside, it is the environment and values one is surrounded by that shape a person.

Influential Environmental Conditions Affecting Parenting:

Influential Environmental Conditions Affecting Parenting CULTURE : Parents who embrace their cultural background and inform their children on its history have developed positive ethnic identities and high self-esteem. Incorporating talking about cultural history, exposing children to cultural artifacts and foods, and encouraging the use of native language has proven effective and increases knowledge. INCOME STATUS : Poverty is very common among minority cultures. Parents with financial problems are more likely to use physical discipline and are less likely to monitor their children. EDUCATION LEVELS : Parents with low economic status typically have less education and are not able to provide properly stimulating environments for children. NEIGBORHOODS : Dangerous and impoverished neighborhoods established more restrictions for their children and had less of a warm feeling along with a more controlling behavior.

Stereotype Issues:

Stereotype Issues The Caucasian American way of raising children is looked at as superior and the norm for comparisons. Minority groups are often misunderstood and misportrayed because they lack the dominance of the typical white American family. Young children are aware at a very early age of societies image that white is more desirable, and often times they do not have the proper resources to obtain their goals.

Gender Roles:

Gender Roles A mother is often times seen as the primary care taker and mediator between a father and his children. Women are seen as being domestically located, but today it is very common for women to work outside of the home. Mothers are more in tune to their children’s needs as well due to their closeness and extensive day-to-day interaction A father is portrayed as the head of a family with the role of being an enforcer. Fathers are known to spend less time with their children, and are more involved in entertaining. Mothers and fathers worked to provide a strict yet loving environment for their children by each spouse contributing where the other was lacking.

Caucasian Family Features:

Caucasian Family Features Nuclear family unit and are more reserved on talking about family issues. Authoritative parenting style. Focus on individualism and to value individual differences. More self-absorbed. Extreme material well-being. Strong work ethics. Highly structured anticipated patterns of daily life. Extremely high divorce rates. Great emphasis on future. Equal decision making between parents and children.

African American Family Features:

African American Family Features Extended family view involving community. Want children to display early responsibility and believe in a high value of strictness. Allow children to take part in decision making. Most likely to inform children about racism and discrimination. Use of physical punishment. High respect for authority and achievement. High expression of emotion. Strong religious values (Protestant). Very high divorce rates and Single parents are very common.

Hispanic family Features:

Hispanic family Features Males, particularly the father, is the dominant figure. Strong kinship bonds. Children are the heart of the family. Least likely to be divorced. Have the largest number of children per family. Lowest in financial funds and education levels. Display both a nuclear and extended family in regards that friends are family and family are like friends. High respect of authority particularly fathers and elders. Religion is a major support system( Catholocism ).

Asian Family Features:

Asian Family Features Family life is central, putting the family over one’s individual needs. Filial piety is their number one priority. Honor and control define the family. Strive for high academic achievement. Very few divorces and have a well established family income. Extended family units. Strong regards to Confucianism. Not expressive in emotions to maintain harmony and peace within the family. Asians are the closest in cultural values to Caucasians compared to the other two minority groups analyzed.

What can be found by comparing these cultures?:

What can be found by comparing these cultures? By comparing each minority culture to Caucasian Americans, it can be seen that although they differed in tradition and the diverse parenting styles used, children are just as effective in society. New insights that can be presented by developing similarities and differences among parenting in family structures and gender roles allow us to understand how separate cultures view the world and why they think the way they do. It can also show how our culture might more effectively benefit by adopting the parenting practices and traditions of others. Variables measured included: socio-economic status of the family, group image and self esteem, gender roles of parents, nuclear/extended family structures, and the nature of emotion interaction between parents and children in terms of discipline and nurturing. Influential environmental factors that had the biggest effect on parenting were: skin color, income status, educational levels, and neighborhoods. All cultures regarded the same tactics of parenting but in different degrees.

Conclusion:

Conclusion It is important for parents to work together to provide a loving and structured environment for their children. Mothers are seen as nurturing and providing for the everyday needs of the child while the father provides financial status and is considered the fun parent. Changes need to be made with regards to giving more opportunities to minority culture groups in aide and support. Bias of Caucasian American culture being the ultimate family structure is still relevant in today’s society. Environmental factors are difficult to change and are largely defining in cultural society along with basic historical tradition.