CH. 4 – CHILDREN AND THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGECULTURE IS SIMPLY HOW ONE LIVES AND IS CONNECTED TO HISTORY BY HABIT – LEROI JONES

CULTURE AND CHILD REARING

SEE. PG. 74

COMMON GOALS OF CHILD REARING

1. NURTURANCE

2. FOLLOWING INSTRUCTION

3. RESPONSIBILITY

4. ACHIEVEMENT,

5. SELF-RELIANCE and INDEPENDANCE

PARENTAL AUTHORITY

Patriarchy (male dominance)

Matriarchy (female dominance)

Egalitarian or Shared Authority (sharing of power between adult leaders of family)

RULES FOR BEHAVIOUR

1. Overt rules (clearly stated)

2. Covert rules (rules that are implied or understood with out being discussed)

Discipline and Guidance

Canada has laws against physical abuse

Discipline can vary according to cultural traditions – Authoritarian parents vs. permissive approach.

Democratic approach is said to offer best results and compliance.

Children need not only to learn to follow rules, but the also need GUIDANCE from at lease one authority figure to help them learn to make appropriate decision. Eg. Grandparent, tribal elder, religious leader, parent

TRANSMITTING CULTURAL HERITAGE TO CHILDREN

LANGUAGE – MOTHER TONGUE – FIRST LANGUAGE SPOKEN

Even infants can learn to turn toward the would on their father’s or mother’s voice.

Language is the way culture if FIRST transmitted

*EVERYTHING CAN CHANGE, BUT NOT THE LANGUAGE THAT WE CARRY INSIDE OF US, LIKE A WORLD MORE EXCLUSIVE AND FINAL THE ONE’S MOTHER’S WOMB. Italo Calvino

TRANSMITTING CULTURE

TOUCH – From the moment of birth, how and infant is held and touchd and cuddled is closely tied to culture.

- Canada – mother immediately holds her baby.

Other cultures –swaddling and wrapping

Breast-feeding is also tied to cuture. Expecially how long it is done.

Kissing an infant is acceptable in some cultures but not others.

Transmitting Culture

Food as culture embodies all of the senses. One of the last things given up by families coming to Canada is their familiar and traditional food handed down from generation to generation.

TRANSMITTING CULTURE

Visual Expression of Culture – children learn through observation and practice about their culture and religion from family rituals. Eg. Washing hand, lighting candles, chanting, saying prayers.

NAMING CHILDREN

Naming children is a child-rearing practice found in very culture and a legal requirement in Canada.

But who names the child? How are they named?

Much thought should be put into a child’s name as they have to live with it.

Consider “nick-names” when naming a child.

Naming: Factors to Consider

Gender – Androgynous names

Religion

Family Tradition

Popularity

Assocations

Meanings

Initials

Respect for Elders

Respect for elders shown by young people varies from culture to culture

North American Aboriginal and Asian cultures encourage and promote deep respect for their elders.

Family and community members look to elders for guidance and wisdom that comes from years of living, working and experiencing life’s changes.

Other Child Rearing Customs

Isreal – kibbutz – a form of communal living

England – private schools

The Universal Rights of children

Highlights of the convention of the Rights of the Child – pg. 86

Highlights Rights every child has and the Responsibility every country has to ensure those rights.

Children in Conflict and Poverty

Refugees, survivors of war

Communism, poverty

Conflict and war – WWI and WWII – great grandparents

Child Labour in developing countries is a big concern.

- Free The Children – Craig Kelburger

Child Poverty in Canada

Global Awareness – taking action to improve the lives of children around the world. – fund raising, boycotting products produced by companies that employ children, educating and raising awareness of child labour, childood prostitution, poverty etc. Signing petitions.