chapter 4 ecology of parenting. prologue what makes a good parent?

Chapter 4

Ecology of Parenting

Prologue

What makes a good parent?

• 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?

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

Fig. 4-1, p. 130

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

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

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

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

Fig. 4-2, p. 134

Macrosystem influences on parenting

• Socioeconomic status (SES)– A family’s SES is its rank or position within

society– Parental occupations and children’s

behavior

Macrosystem influences on parenting

• Ethnicity/Religion– The cooperative/interdependent

(collective orientation)

a. Authority roles tend to be hierarchical

b. Communication patterns vary

c. Display of emotions vary

d. Discipline/guidance

e. Skills emphasis

Macrosystem influences on parenting

– Competitive/independent (individualistic) orientation

a. Authority roles

b. Communication patterns vary

c. Displays of emotions vary

d. Discipline/guidance of children

e. Skills emphasis

Attachment

https://youtu.be/DnGthYxlu0E

Video Question

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

Table 4-1, p. 144

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

Chronosystem influences on parenting

• Historical trends– Nineteenth century

• G. Stanly Hall

Chronosystem influences on parenting

• Historical trends– Twentieth century

• John B. Watson• Benjamin Spock• Jean Piaget• Trends in American child-rearing

Chronosystem influences on parenting

• Family Dynamics– Children’s characteristics

• Age• Temperament• Gender• Presence of a disability

Chronosystem influences on parenting

• Family Dynamics– Family Characteristics

• Size• Configuration• Parent’s life stages• Marital quality

Fig. 4-3, p. 157

Parenting styles

• Microsystem influences: Between parent and child– Attachment—an outcome of sensitive

responsive caregiving– Self-regulation and prosocial behavior

Parenting styles

• Diana Baumrind classified preschool children into three groups based on their behavior– Competent children– Withdrawn children– Immature children

Parenting styles

• Baumrind determined three classifications of child-rearing– Authoritative – Authoritarian– Permissive

Table 4-2, p. 160

Table 4-3, p. 162

Parenting Styles

• Mesosystem influences: between parents and others– School– Community

Table 4-4, p. 164

Appropriate parenting practices

• Developmental appropriateness• Guidance and discipline

Fig. 4-4, p. 166

Inappropriate Parenting Practices

• Child maltreatment: Abuse and neglect– Physical abuse– Sexual abuse– Psychological or emotional abuse

• Correlates and consequences of child maltreatment

Inappropriate Parenting Practices

• The family and maltreatment

a. Often parents have a history of being maltreated

b. Parents who were abused as children are prone to character and behavior disorders, self-doubt, and internal anger

c. Parents who have emotional problems, financial problems, stress, lack knowledge about child development, and are immature may neglect or abuse

Inappropriate Parenting Practices

• The family and maltreatment

d. Abusive parents often have unrealistic expectations of their children

e. Depression and alcoholism have been linked to abuse

f. Abusive parents often look to their children to fulfill needs unmet in their own childhood

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

Fig. 4-5, p. 171

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)