Parenting forms quite an integral part as far as the upbringing of a child is concerned. The environment under which a child is brought up and the parenting style in place greatly influences the behavior as well the emotions of a child. Collectivism and individualism are cultural models that have been seen through out the years to have a major impact on the style of parenting (Triandis and Harry 2001). Parenting styles that young children are exposed to in different cultures and different scenarios in their stages as they grow determines their perceptions about life and how they relate with other people. Culture impacts the behavior of parenting through certain forces in the society such as the economic structure, customs and language patterns. Both collectivist parents and individualist parents can be compared from different perspectives.
Collectivist parents usually promote values such as adherence to social conventions, conformity, helpfulness and interdependence within the family set up. Comparing the parenting styles in regards to the personality traits of the young people, those youths from the collectivist parenting showed a high degree of agreeableness, openness and low extraversion compared to those from the individualistic parenting. Individualistic parenting promotes autonomy, need for privacy, assertiveness as well as emotional independence without any strong ties between individuals. With collectivists the parents expect their children to maintain cohesion within the group that they are related to and are encouraged to conform towards their family, parents and larger social groups. In the case of the individualistic setup parents expect their children to have self-containment and a sense of distinctiveness (Triandis and Harry 2001).
There are certain behavioral styles practiced by children raised up by individualistic parents that would not tolerated by new parents. Such behaviors include the expression of opinions regarding a certain matter or rather asking their elders many questions. Such behavior is considered as a lack of respect to the elderly (Ratner, Carl and Hui 2003). On the other within the collectivist’s family the sense of self centered is not encouraged. If a child minds their own well being not including the well being of the other people this behavior indicates resistance to the promotion of cohesion within the family (Triandis and Harry 2001). It is seen as not to enhance interdependence much less the maintenance and promotion of cultural practices.
Within the collectivist family grandparents’ role goes beyond their own children to their grand children. This is in line with the process upbringing children. It is seen a norm and the grandparents have the right to make important decisions within the family. Their participation in the upbringing of children extends from one generation to the other. This way culture is promoted as well as family cohesion. Compared to the individualistic family here the grandparents’ role is limited due to the fact that self dependency is promoted. Their participation is more when children want to enquire and ask question regarding certain matters about life. They teach children to depend on themselves and solely focus on the achievement of their own personal goals (Ratner, Carl and Hui 2003).
In conclusion, new parents within the collectivistic family set up do not show the will to change the existing roles. This is due to the fact that the collectivist values tend a sense of authoritarian parenting that is seen to promote optimal child development. In this context the collectivist reflects a positive style of parenting. On the other hand, the new parents in the individualistic family would have the will to change the existing roles due to the fact that the style is not consistent with the society’s norms as well as culture. It is seen as to reflect a negative style of parenting hence the need to adjust behavior within the family.
References
Triandis, Harry C. (2001). "Individualism-Collectivism and Personality". Journal of Personality.
Ratner, Carl and Hui L. (2003). "Theoretical and Methodological Problems in Cross–Cultural Psychology". Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior.
