Reverence for Mothers in Ecuadorian and Euro-American Culture

Abstract

Two studies examine differences between Ecuadorians and Euro-Americans in levels of reverence for their mothers. Data collected from college students in Ecuador and the United States show that Ecuadorians display higher levels of mother reverence than Euro-Americans. Ecuadorians also score higher on measures of maternal power, similarity of mothers to the cultural ideal of women, and uncertainty avoidance. However, levels of independence are significantly higher in the Euro-American sample than in the Ecuadorian sample. High levels of maternal power, idealization of mothers, and interdependent self-construals are found to predict mother reverence in both cultures. The implications of these findings for interpersonal and intercultural relations are discussed.Keywords: mother; women; Ecuador; South America; Hispanic; culture; individualism; collectivism; gender; power; power distance; uncertainty avoidance; reverence; respect; devotionMothers are typically the primary child-rearing agents, across cultures and species. For this reason, attachment to maternal figures is generally considered to be an important issue in the social and natural sciences. Given the attachment bonds that exist between mothers and their offspring, it is easy to imagine the reverence that mothers could inspire in their children. However, attachment and reverence toward mothers may not be universal. Research has shown cross-cultural variations in attachment-related behaviors (Tacón & Caldera, 2001). It is possible that manifestations of reverence also vary according to culture. This study was designed to examine such potential cultural differences in mother reverence. Mother reverence is a combination of respect for mothers and profound devotion to them. The respect aspect of reverence consists of deference and high regard. Respect is widely thought to be more prevalent in Latino culture than in Euro-American culture (Albert, 1996). Devotion is the label we are using to refer to the positive emotional facets of reverence. Devotion comprises attachment, affection, dedication, and loyalty. Mother reverence is likely to be caused by a constellation of cultural characteristics. We believe that mother reverence is heightened in cultures where the family is the most important social institution, the mother occupies the central role, and family members are mutually dependent. Reverence may be enhanced when the cultural ideal of women centers on their domestic role and when gender roles are very different, making the mother's role unique. Hierarchically organized cultures AUTHORS' NOTE: We wish to thank Luis Alvarado and the Psychology Department at the Universidad de Guayaquil.

Interpersonal Trust in Ecuador, the United States, and Zimbabwe

“…It is worth noting that the findings in Ecuador differ from those in earlier research comparing independence among Ecuadorians and Euro-Americans. Previous studies by Mealy et al (2006; Mealy et al, 2007) revealed that Euro-Americans reported higher levels of independence than Ecuadorians. The most plausible explanation for this increase is that individualism is increasing in Ecuador, as it is in many other parts of the world (Allen et al, 2007; Hofstede, 1980; Smith & Bond, 1998) due to urbanization, globalization, education, and changes in communication technology.…”

“…The uncertainty avoidance measure was developed by Mealy, Stephan, and Abalakina-Paap (2006). It contained 10 statements with a 6-point Likert-type response format scale.…”

Postpartum depression in refugee and asylum-seeking women in Canada: A critical health psychology perspective

“…Women may also be coming from cultures where the mother role is more integral and revered than in North America. For example, research has identified that in the Ecuadorian culture, the role of mother is closely linked to the cultural ideal of woman and is held in higher esteem relative to Euro-American culture (Mealy et al, 2006). Women coming from cultures where the mother role is revered may experience postpartum distress during the post-migration period as a great personal failure.…”

Представления Об Идеальной Женщине У Мужчин С Разной Самооценкой

“…Vandello et al [35] указывается, что в странах Латинской Америки преобладает «марианизм», согласно которому образцом является Дева Мария; идеальная женщина жертвует собственными интересами ради интересов семьи и реализуется преимущественно в роли жены и матери. У американцев европейского происхождения идеалом женщины является сильная и независимая «суперженщина», которая уделяет внимание не только семье, но и карьере [29]. Отечественными исследователями также изучаются представления об идеальном супруге и распределении семейных ролей у представителей народов, проживающих на территории РФ [6,13].…”