Parental beliefs about young children’s socialization across US ethnic groups: coexistence of independence and interdependence

Abstract

This study compared dimensions of independence and interdependence in parents’ beliefs about daily child‐rearing practices across four ethnic groups. Two questionnaires were completed by 310 parents of preschool‐age children, and three belief constructs were identified. Conformity was least valued by European Americans. Autonomy was equally valued by European Americans and African Americans, and less by Asian Americans. There were no group differences in the importance of prosocial. Parental education was negatively associated with conformity except among Asian Americans, for whom education and conformity were positively associated. This study provides further evidence that differentiating the broad cultural orientations of independence and interdependence provides more accurate and sensitive cultural models of parenting. This study’s findings may enhance the cultural competence of educators and community workers who interact with children and parents of diverse ethnic groups.

Keywords:

• Cultural differences
• Early childhood
• Individualism–collectivism
• Parental attitudes
• Parent–child relationship
• Socialization