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Culture and Class Influences on Anglo and Puerto Rican Mothers' Beliefs Regarding Long‐Term Socialization Goals and Child Behavior
Author(s) -
Harwood Robin L.,
Schoelmerich Axel,
VenturaCook Elizabeth,
Schulze Pamela A.,
Wilson Stephanie P.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.1996.tb01867.x
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , socialization , psychology , puerto rican , developmental psychology , middle class , social class , social psychology , sociocultural evolution , perception , demography , population , sociology , neuroscience , anthropology , political science , law
These 2 studies examine culture and socioeconomic status as simultaneous possible sources for group differences in mothers' beliefs regarding desirable and undesirable long‐term socialization goals and child behavior. In Study 1, 100 mothers of young toddlers aged 12–24 months from 5 sociocultural groups participated: middle‐ and lower‐class Anglo, middle‐ and lower‐class island Puerto Rican, and lower‐class migrant Puerto Rican. Results indicate that culture and socioeconomic status contribute independently to group differences, but that cultural effects appear to be stronger. Study 2 examined cultural differences in perceptions of behaviors using middle‐class Anglo and Puerto Rican mothers only. The findings support those of Study 1, suggesting that Anglo and Puerto Rican mothers place differential value on the constructs of Self‐Maximization and Proper Demeanor, even when socioeconomic status is controlled for. The findings of these studies have important implications for the culturally sensitive study of the relation between parental beliefs and behaviors.