Impact of Social and Cultural Change on Child Development: Understanding Influential Factors

Learning in Socio Cultural Perspective

Social and Cultural change as factors influencing Child Development

Socio-cultural factors influence development by providing it with a social context.

The various socio-cultural consequences that a child meets which are learnt by him/her and thus, a child develops a personality which is influenced by his/her experiences.

The socio-cultural background of an individual has an impact over his/her interaction with the rest of the society.

The variable experiences of individuals during their development are dependent upon their social and cultural background.

These factors include the conditions at home, the quality of schooling and interaction with peer groups.

Children growing up in an unsupportive family environment find it hard to learn new things and make their own decisions. Children who are exposed to diverse experiences early in life develop a confident attitude and are more able to face challenges.

* Cultural and Societal Influences on Child Development * 

Culture plays an important role in influencing childhood development, and what is considered “normal” varies greatly from one culture to the next.

* LEARNING OBJECTIVE *

• Examine the influence of culture on childhood development

* KEY POINTS *

1. The society and culture in which one grows up influence everything from developmental milestones and parenting styles to what kinds of hardship one is more likely to face.
2. While biological milestones such as puberty tend to be universal across cultures, social milestones, such as the age at which children begin formal schooling or individuate from their parents, can differ greatly from one culture to the next.
3. Effective parenting styles also vary as a function of culture. While the authoritative parenting style is the style that is most encouraged in modern American society, other cultures value more authoritarian styles.
4. Race and racial stereotypes can have detrimental effects on a child’s development. Children are taught the stereotypes that go along with their race(s) and the races of others, and these stereotypes can have a strong influence on their development.
5. Race is also closely linked to class, and children of color are still statistically much more likely to lack access to basic resources and to experience economic hardship.
6. The concept of intersectionality is important to keep in mind when examining the cultural influences of various forms of discrimination on child development.

* TERMS *

• racialized  Categorized or treated in a particular way based on race.
• milestone  An important event in a person’s life or career, in the history of a nation, in the life of some project, etc.
• stereotype  A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

Child development refers to the biological, psychological, and emotional changes that occur in humans between birth and the end of adolescence, as the individual progresses from dependency to increasing autonomy. Culture plays an important role in influencing this development, and what is considered “normal” development varies greatly from one culture to the next. The society and culture in which one grows up influence everything from developmental milestones and parenting styles to what kinds of hardship one is more likely to face.

* Developmental Milestones *

The normative approach to development examines the question “What is normal development?” In the early decades of the 20th century, normative psychologists studied large numbers of children at various ages to determine the average ages at which most children reach specific physical, cognitive, and psychosocial milestones in development. Not all of the milestones were universal, meaning they are not experienced by all individuals across all cultures. Biological milestones such as puberty tend to be universal, while social milestones, such as the age at which children begin formal schooling or individuate from their parents, can differ greatly across cultures.

* Parenting Styles *

Authoritarian Parenting

Parents of this style tend to have a one-way mode of communication where the parent establishes strict rules that the child obeys. There is little to no room for negotiations from the child, and the rules are not usually explained. They expect their children to uphold these standards while making no errors. Mistakes usually lead to punishment. Authoritarian parents are normally less nurturing and have high expectations with limited flexibility. 

Children that grow up with authoritarian parents will usually be the most well-behaved in the room because of the consequences of misbehaving. Additionally, they are better able to adhere to the precise instructions required to reach a goal. Furthermore, this parenting style can result in children who have higher levels of aggression but may also be shy, socially inept, and unable to make their own decisions. This aggression can remain uncontrolled as they have difficulty managing anger as they were not provided with proper guidance. They have poor self-esteem, which further reinforces their inability to make decisions. Strict parental rules and punishments often influence the child to rebel against authority figures as they grow older.  

Authoritative Parenting

This type of parent normally develops a close, nurturing relationship with their children. They have clear guidelines for their expectations and explain their reasons associated with disciplinary actions. Disciplinary methods are used as a way of support instead of punishment. Not only can children have input into goals and expectations, but there are also frequent and appropriate levels of communication between the parent and their child. In general, this parenting style leads to the healthiest outcomes for children but requires a lot of patience and effort on both parties. 

Authoritative parenting results in children who are confident, responsible, and able to self-regulate. They can manage their negative emotions more effectively, which leads to better social outcomes and emotional health. Since these parents also encourage independence, their children will learn that they are capable of accomplishing goals on their own. This results in children who grow up with higher self-esteem. Also, these children have a high level of academic achievement and school performance.

Permissive Parenting

Permissive parents tend to be warm, nurturing and usually have minimal or no expectations. They impose limited rules on their children. Communication remains open, but parents allow their children to figure things out for themselves. These low levels of expectation usually result in rare uses of discipline. They act more like friends than parents. 

Limited rules can lead to children with unhealthy eating habits, especially regarding snacks. This can result in increased risks for obesity and other health problems later in the child’s life. The child also has a lot of freedom as they decide their bedtime, if or when to do homework, and screen time with the computer and television. Freedom to this degree can lead to other negative habits as the parent does not provide much guidance on moderation. Overall, children of permissive parents usually have some self-esteem and decent social skills. However, they can be impulsive, demanding, selfish, and lack self-regulation.

Uninvolved Parenting

Children are given a lot of freedom as this type of parent normally stays out of the way. They fulfill the child’s basic needs while generally remaining detached from their child’s life. An uninvolved parent does not utilize a particular disciplining style and has a limited amount of communication with their child. They tend to offer a low amount of nurturing while having either few or no expectations of their children. 

The children of uninvolved parents usually are resilient and may even be more self-sufficient than children with other types of upbringing. However, these skills are developed out of necessity. Additionally, they might have trouble controlling their emotions, less effective coping strategies, may have academic challenges, and difficulty with maintaining or nurturing social relationships.

Effective parenting styles also vary as a function of culture. While the authoritative parenting style (characterized by the parent giving reasonable demands, setting consistent limits, expressing warmth and affection, and listening to the child’s point of view) is the style that is most encouraged in modern American society, this is not necessarily the case in other cultures. American children raised by authoritative parents tend to have high self-esteem and social skills. In contrast, authoritarian parenting (characterized by parents placing high value on conformity and obedience, tightly monitoring their children, and expressing less warmth) is seen as more beneficial in other cultures. For instance, first-generation Chinese American children raised by authoritarian parents did just as well in school as their peers who were raised by authoritative parents.

The effects of parenting style: different parenting styles influence children differently depending on cultural norms and standards.

* Race, Class, and Intersecting Identities *

Race and other identities are often sites of discrimination and oppression in societies; as such, they can have a tremendous impact on childhood development. The United States is a very racialized society, and children—especially children of color—often become aware of the dynamics of racism at a very young age. Children are taught the stereotypes that go along with their particular race(s), as well as the races of others, and these stereotypes can have a strong influence on their development.

* Stereotype Threat * 

Stereotypes and racialized expectations often contribute to stereotype threat, in which a child experiences anxiety or concern in a situation that has the potential to confirm a negative stereotype about his or her social group. For example, if an African-American child is given the message that black people are not as “smart” as white people, she may worry if she is not doing well in school because it will, she fears, confirm the negative stereotype. Importantly, stereotype threat has been shown to be something of a self-fulfilling prophecy—not because the negative stereotype is accurate, but because fear of fulfilling that stereotype can lead to additional anxiety, which in turn can reduce performance. For example, stereotype threat can lower the intellectual performance of black students taking the SAT, due to the stereotype that they are less intelligent than other groups, which may cause them to feel additional pressure and anxiety.

* Examining Intersectionality *

Intersectionality is the study of the intersections, or the relationships, between different forms or systems of discrimination or oppression. This theory suggests that—and seeks to examine how—various biological, social, and cultural categories such as gender, race, class, ability, sexual orientation, religion, caste, and other areas of identity interact and contribute to various forms of social inequality. Intersectionality holds that different forms of discrimination—such as racism, sexism, biphobia, ableism, transphobia, and classism—do not act independently of one another; instead, they interrelate and create a system based on multiple forms of discrimination.

All of these factors are important to keep in mind when examining the cultural influences of such discrimination on child development.

For example, the experience of growing up as an African-American girl in the United States cannot be understood only in terms of being black or of being female; instead, the ways in which these identities interact and frequently reinforce each other must be examined. Race is also closely linked to class, and people of color are still statistically much more likely to lack access to basic resources and experience economic hardship. These resources include everything from proper nutrition and healthcare to good education systems and neighborhood parks. All of these societal factors intersect and interact to influence a child’s development, so much so that a child from a middle-class white family has many more opportunities than a child from a lower-income family of color.

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**Frequently Asked Questions about Digital Education in India

Q.1. *How do social and cultural changes influence child development?*

A.1. Social and cultural changes can impact child development by shaping the norms, values, beliefs, and opportunities available to children. They influence family dynamics, education systems, community structures, and societal expectations, which in turn affect children's cognitive, emotional, and social development.

Q.2. *What are some examples of social and cultural changes that affect child development?*

A.2. Examples of social and cultural changes include shifts in family structure (such as changes in marriage and parenting norms), advancements in technology and media consumption, globalization, immigration patterns, changes in educational practices, and evolving societal attitudes towards gender roles, diversity, and inclusivity.

Q.3. *How does globalization impact child development?*

A.3. Globalization can influence child development by exposing children to diverse cultures, ideas, and lifestyles through media, travel, and interactions with people from different backgrounds. It can broaden their perspectives, foster cultural awareness, and provide new opportunities for learning and collaboration.

Q.4. *What role do family dynamics play in the context of social and cultural change?*

A.4. Family dynamics are deeply influenced by social and cultural changes, which can impact parenting styles, family structures, communication patterns, and values transmitted to children. Changes such as dual-income households, single-parent families, and evolving gender roles can shape children's development and socialization experiences.

Q.5. *How do societal attitudes towards diversity and inclusivity affect child development?*

A.5. Societal attitudes towards diversity and inclusivity can have a significant impact on children's self-concept, identity formation, and social interactions. Positive attitudes and inclusive environments promote acceptance, empathy, and respect for differences, while discrimination and prejudice can hinder children's social and emotional development.

Q.6. *What are the implications of rapid technological advancements on child development?*

A.6. Rapid technological advancements can both positively and negatively impact child development. While technology offers new opportunities for learning, communication, and creativity, excessive screen time, cyberbullying, and digital distractions can affect children's cognitive development, social skills, and mental well-being.

Q.7. *How can parents and caregivers support children amidst social and cultural changes?*

A.7. Parents and caregivers can support children amidst social and cultural changes by providing stability, nurturing relationships, open communication, and opportunities for positive socialization. They can also encourage critical thinking, cultural exploration, and resilience to navigate changing environments.

Q.8. *What strategies can educators implement to address the impact of social and cultural change on Child development?*

A.8. Educators can implement strategies such as culturally responsive teaching, inclusive curriculum design, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and creating safe and supportive learning environments to address the impact of social and cultural change on child development. Collaboration with families and communities can also enhance educational outcomes for diverse learners.

Q.9. *How can communities promote positive child development amidst social and cultural change?*

A.9. Communities can promote positive child development by fostering supportive networks, providing access to quality education, recreational activities, and healthcare services, promoting cultural diversity and inclusion, and advocating for policies that support families and children's well-being.

Q.10. *What research evidence supports the relationship between social and cultural change and child development?*

A.10. Research in developmental psychology, sociology, and education consistently demonstrates the complex interplay between social and cultural factors and child development. Studies explore various aspects such as the impact of family structure, cultural values, community resources, and societal attitudes on children's cognitive, emotional, and social development.