Cultural Influences on Child Development: The Middle Years

Culture influences every aspect of life. It defines who we are as human beings. Culture has multiple dimensions that intersect in time and space with common and distinct manifestations for individuals, groups and societies. Culture is a paradox-as its many dimensions remain constant yet others evolve and change-and it is both learned and unlearned. This chapter explores the cultural influences on child development during the middle years from ages 5 to 13. It is hypothesized that providers of behavioral health services must have a solid understanding of the multiple dimensions and dynamics of culture for this age group and that the efficacy of any evidence-based approaches to prevention and treatment must be implemented within the cultural contexts of children, their families and communities.