Behaviour and misbehaviour of Latino children in a time of zero tolerance: mothers' views

Abstract

Thirty‐eight Latin American mothers with young children tell of their perceptions of school discipline and comportment issues and talk of their children's encounters with ‘zero tolerance’ legislation, and related rules for conduct, implemented by the local school boards. The purpose of this exploratory study is to understand: (a) parents' views of and concern about disciplinary practices at school; (b) parents' ideas about the connection between home and school discipline; and (c) parents' understanding of the officially prescribed consequences of behaviour identified as non‐tolerable. Implications of the findings are discussed with regard to professional practice.

Keywords:

• Latino parents
• School regulations
• Concepts of misbehaviour and aggression

Notes

Corresponding author: School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Judith K. Bernhard

Corresponding author: School of Early Childhood Education, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3. Email: [email protected]