FAMILY, CULTURE & COMMUNITY

A happy and healthy childhood depends on safe attachment.

A loving relationship with families. Regular exposure to the traditions of a culture.
Participation in a responsive community.

Family: Definitions
 A group of people who are related to each other.
 A group of related people including people who lived in the past.
 “A family consists of two or more people who live together and are related by
such enduring factors as birth, marriage, adoption, or long-term mutual
commitment.”

"My definition of family encompasses a diverse network of individuals who share a

deep bond of love, support, and connection. Family, to me, extends beyond biological
relations to include chosen family and close friends who have become an integral part
of my life.

Family is built on a foundation of unconditional love, trust, and respect. It is a space

where I can be my authentic self, knowing that I will be accepted and supported. It is a
place where I find comfort, solace, and a sense of belonging.

Family is not solely defined by blood relations but also by the emotional ties we forge
over time. It includes those who have been there for me through the highs and lows,
celebrating my victories and offering a shoulder to lean on during challenging times.

In my definition, family extends beyond traditional roles and structures. It embraces

the diversity of relationships and acknowledges that love and support can be found in
various forms. Whether it's a single-parent household, a blended family, or a
community of like-minded individuals, family is about the mutual care and
nourishment of each other's well-being.

Ultimately, my definition of family centers around the idea of a chosen support

system, where love, understanding, and connection prevail, creating a nurturing and
uplifting environment that allows everyone involved to thrive."

Objectives/ goals of parenting:

Goal: How to achieve:
Survive. Provide food, warm clothes, shelter.
Nurse when sick. Comfort when
unhappy.
Learn norms and values of our culture. Socialize children into understanding
about right/wrong, good/bad, norms &
values
Become economically independent. Skills and tools in order to survive
 economically.
Bronfenbrenner (2001) – Bioecological Model
Every child needs at least one adult devoted to the child’s health, education, and
welfare. Ecological systems theory says school, family, peer group, neighbors, culture…
all of them influence our development.

Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory describes the different

levels of influence on human development. Let's explore each level in
more detail:

 Level 1: Individual (the self)

At this level, the focus is on the individual and their unique characteristics, such as
personality, beliefs, and abilities. It considers how individual traits and behaviors
influence their own development and experiences.

 Level 2: Microsystem (direct influence)

The microsystem refers to the immediate environment in which an individual lives and
interacts on a regular basis. It includes relationships with family members, friends,
peers, teachers, and other significant people. This level recognizes that these direct
social interactions have a significant impact on an individual's development and well-
being.

 Level 3: Mesosystem (connections between microsystems)

The mesosystem looks at the connections and interactions between the different
components of the microsystem. It examines how the various settings and
relationships within a person's life (such as family, school, and community) influence
each other. For example, the quality of communication between parents and teachers
can affect a child's educational experiences.

 Level 4: Exosystem (institutions that organize the community)

The exosystem includes external environments that indirectly impact an individual's

development, even though they may not be directly involved in them. This level
consists of systems and institutions that have an influence on the individual but are not
a part of their immediate daily experiences. Examples of exosystems include a parent's
workplace, local government, mass media, and community organizations.

 Level 5: Macrosystem (social norms and culture)

The macrosystem represents the broader cultural context in which the individual lives.
It encompasses the overall values, beliefs, customs, and laws of the society. The
macrosystem influences all the other levels and shapes the individual's experiences
and development. Factors such as societal norms, cultural practices, and
socioeconomic conditions fall under the macrosystem.

It's important to note that these levels are interconnected, and changes in one level
can impact other levels. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory highlights the
complexity of human development and emphasizes the significance of considering
multiple levels of influence when examining a person's experiences and growth.

PARENTING AND FAMILIES: Families’ influences on children.

Parents are agents of socialization through affection and discipline.
Affection–love: responding sensitively, giving emotional support, celebrating
accomplishments.
Discipline: curbing impulses, anticipating outcomes of actions, following rules, making
amends for wrong doings.

FAMILY PROCESSES AND FAMILY STRUCTURES: It is important to say that:

“family processes overshadow family structures in the power of their effects in children.”

• Family structure: People that live in the house with the child.
• Family process: How children and family interact.

FAMILY STRUCTURES: Today family structures vary, and children are constantly
adapting to their own reality.
When the ideal situation occurs…
• Having both parents (getting along well) at home:
– Children form close bonds with both.
– Magnifies the affection received by the child.
– One parent can compensate when the other is not at home.
– Children tend to achieve higher levels in education.
– Children tend to have less behavior problems.
• Get together with the classmate sitting next to you and comment on the
following.
In Uruguay, the most common family structure is the nuclear family, which consists of
a married or cohabiting couple and their children living together in the same
household. However, it is worth noting that family structures can vary widely, and
Uruguay, like many other countries, has seen an increase in diverse family
arrangements in recent years. This includes single-parent families, extended families,
same-sex parent families, and blended families, among others.
Family structure can indeed have an impact on a child's development. The family is
typically the first and most influential social environment that children are exposed to,
and it plays a crucial role in their physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Here
are a few reasons why family structure can influence a child's development:

1. Socialization: The family is responsible for socializing children and teaching

them the norms, values, and behaviors of their culture. Different family
structures may provide different socialization experiences, shaping a child's
understanding of relationships, gender roles, and societal expectations.
2. Emotional support: The presence of a stable and nurturing family environment,
regardless of its structure, can provide emotional support and a sense of
security to a child. This support helps in building healthy self-esteem, emotional
regulation, and resilience.
3. Role models: Family structure can influence the presence of diverse role
models in a child's life. Having positive role models within the family can
contribute to the development of skills, attitudes, and values.
4. Parental involvement: The level of parental involvement and engagement in a
child's life can vary across family structures. Research suggests that high levels
of parental involvement, regardless of family structure, are associated with
positive childhood outcomes, such as academic achievement and social
competence.
5. Economic resources: Family structure can affect the economic resources
available to a child. For example, single-parent families may face financial
challenges compared to dual-parent households, which can impact a child's
access to educational opportunities, healthcare, and other resources that
support development.

It's important to note that while family structure can influence child development, it is
not the sole determinant. Other factors, such as parenting style, the quality of parent-
child relationships, and the broader social and cultural context, also play significant
roles. Each family structure has its own unique strengths and challenges, and it's the
quality of relationships and interactions within the family that ultimately contribute to
a child's well-being and development.
Parenting styles:
Different techniques used by parents: (reasoning scolding, temporarily withdrawing
affection, removing privileges, imposing additional restrictions, spanking, etc.)
The way parents’ express affection and implement discipline.
1. Authoritative:
Emotional warmth
High behavioral expectations & standards,
Consistent enforcement & explanation of rules
Inclusive in decision making.
Parents establish strict rules but allow situational exceptions to the rules. They
consider children’s feelings when creating and enforcing rules. Discuss rules with
children so they understand. They also use a combination of punishment and
reinforcement.
Children are expected to follow the rules but can question the rules and discuss them
with parents. They are encouraged to problem-solve and make mistakes in order to
learn. They tend to become responsible decision makers. Children tend to behave
properly when asked to and have a great comprehension of the system and way to
interact with it.
Why is authoritative parenting better? It allows for flexibility, teaches responsibility,
provides support, gives a level of fairness, and allows for cooperation.

2. Authoritarian:
Strong control.
Immediate compliance with rules, little affection.
Restrictive and harsh punishments.
Do not explain rules. (“Because I say so.”)

Children tend to be withdrawn, mistrusting, unhappy, with low self-esteem, little self-
reliance, poor social skills, greater tendency to act aggressively.
Effects of authoritarian parenting style:
Children are less socially competent; tendency to withdraw; lack of spontaneity
affection, curiosity, and originality. They show less evidence of moral conscience;
external rather than internal, orientation in situations involving moral conflict (placing
blame outside of themselves, less likely to admit guilt or self-blame).
Boys show lower self-esteem and diminished intellectual performance. Inconsistence
and intense levels of power assertion by parents is related to childhood aggression.
Abusive parents rely heavily on power-assertive techniques and are often
unresponsive to the child’s needs.
3. PERMISSIVE
Little control.
Lack of direction.
Parents appear to care about the children but no directions on behavior are given.
Children make their own decisions.
Warmth does not compensate lack of discipline.
Children tend to not understand when directions or rules are presented, very
disoriented on what to do. They create their own set of rules in response to having
problems when socializing. The children have the final say.
Parents attempt to guide but give in when children insist on having their way. Parents
may give up their child-rearing responsibilities. Setting no rules about behavior, making
no demands, voicing no expectations, and virtually ignoring young people in their
house.
Diana Baumrind, a renowned developmental psychologist, proposed three parenting
styles based on her extensive research. These parenting styles are categorized based
on the level of demandingness and responsiveness that parents exhibit. The three
parenting styles identified by Baumrind are:

 Authoritative Parenting:

Authoritative parenting is characterized by high levels of demandingness and high

levels of responsiveness. These parents set clear expectations and rules for their
children while also providing warmth, support, and understanding. They encourage
independence, individuality, and open communication within the family. Authoritative
parents are responsive to their children's needs and opinions, while also teaching them
self-discipline and responsibility. This parenting style is often associated with positive
child outcomes, such as high self-esteem, self-control, and academic success.

 Authoritarian Parenting:

Authoritarian parenting is characterized by high levels of demandingness and low

levels of responsiveness. These parents tend to have strict rules and high expectations
for their children without providing much explanation or flexibility. They value
obedience and discipline and often use punishment as a means of control.
Authoritarian parents may not be responsive to their children's emotional needs or
individuality. This parenting style can lead to children who are obedient but may also
experience lower self-esteem, lack of initiative, and difficulty in decision-making.
  Permissive Parenting:

Permissive parenting is characterized by low levels of demandingness and high levels

of responsiveness. These parents are very lenient and have few rules or expectations
for their children. They are highly responsive to their children's emotional needs and
desires, often acting as a friend rather than an authority figure. Permissive parents
may avoid setting limits or enforcing discipline, leading to children who struggle with
self-control, entitlement, and authority. However, when combined with high levels of
warmth and support, permissive parenting can still result in positive child outcomes.

 Uninvolved or "neglectful" Parenting.

This style is characterized by low levels of demand and low levels of responsiveness.
Uninvolved parents are emotionally detached and provide minimal guidance, support,
and supervision to their children. They may be neglectful in meeting their children's
basic needs, both physically and emotionally.

Uninvolved parents tend to prioritize their own needs and interests over those of their
children, often neglecting their parental responsibilities. They may be emotionally
distant, unresponsive to their children's emotions or needs, and fail to establish a
nurturing and supportive environment. These parents may lack involvement in their
children's education, activities, and overall development.

Children raised by uninvolved parents often struggle with low self-esteem, emotional
and behavioral problems, poor academic performance, and difficulties in forming
healthy relationships. They may experience a sense of abandonment and have to
navigate their lives with minimal guidance or support.

It's important to note that uninvolved parenting is generally considered to be

detrimental to a child's well-being and development. Children need active and
engaged parental involvement to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.