1. The 'Ideal Baby': A Look at the Intersection of Temperament and Culture
- Author
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Carlson, Vivian J., Feng, Xin, and Harwood, Robin L.
- Abstract
This article examines cultural influences on child temperament, including how broadly shared cultural values influence parents' socialization goals for their children. Nearly 40% of children in the United States are being raised in families that may espouse somewhat different socialization goals and may value different "ideal" traits than those promoted among Anglo-American families. For example, in China, teachers viewed shy, sensitive children as socially and academically competent. In North America, teachers viewed shy, sensitive children as lonely and depressed. In Sweden, shy, socially reserved behavior was not consistently associated with any negative long-term outcomes, yet in North America, such behavior was found to hinder careers. The authors ask how, in a diverse society, infant-toddler professionals can adapt their practices to best facilitate the development of bicultural participants and examine key issues and possibilities surrounding this question.
- Published
- 2004