Socialization in the Family: Ethnic and Ecological Perspectives

A longitudinal examination of parenting behaviors and perceived discrimination predicting Latino adolescents' ethnic identity.

“…Because the family is a critical context in children's development (Maccoby, 1992), parenting behaviors and experiences likely have a significant impact on adolescents' ethnic identity formation. In fact, Parke and Buriel (1998) suggested that an important role of families is to help children learn values and behaviors that allow them to adapt to the environments in which they live. Furthermore, among ethnic minority families, parents' attempts to teach their children about their ethnicity (i.e., ethnic socialization) are considered essential for ensuring their children's optimal adaptation (Marshall, 1995).…”

“…Among Latino families, specifically, the influence of parents may be particularly salient given the cultural emphasis on obedience to parents and respect for authority (Cauce & Domenech-Rodríguez, 2002). Although there is much diversity within Latino families, scholars suggest that values emphasizing familism, or a strong orientation and connection to family, are one of the key values transmitted across generations (Parke & Buriel, 1998;Sabogal, Marín, Otero-Sabogal, Marín, & Perez-Stable, 1987).…”

Evolution of Paternal Investment

“…It appears that divorce results in small to moderate increases in aggressive and noncompliant behaviors, especially in boys; an early onset of sexual activity for adolescent boys and girls; and lowered educational achievement in adulthood for men and women (Amato & Keith, 1991;Belsky, Steinberg, & Draper, 1991;Ellis et at, 2003;Florsheim, Tolan, & Gorman-Smith, 1998). These findings suggest paternal investment can improve childrenʹs later social competitiveness, given the strong relation between delayed sexual activity, educational outcomes, and later SES (Belsky et al, 1991;Parke & Buriel, 1998).…”

“…In these societies, paternal investment, including income provided to the family and direct care, is correlated with better academic skills in children and higher SES in adulthood (Kaplan, Lancaster, & Anderson, 1998;Pleck, 1997). However, a causal relation between paternal investment and these outcomes has not been established (Parke & Buriel, 1998). Indirect, genetic influences cannot be ruled out, nor can the effects of assortative mating.…”

“…For instance, children who have fathers who regularly engage them in physical play are more likely to be socially popular than are children who do not regularly engage in this type of play (Carson, Burks, & Parke, 1993). Qualitative features of fathersʹ relationships with their children, such as positive emotional tone of the interactions, are also associated with greater social and academic competencies in children (Parke & Buriel, 1998) and with fewer behavioral (e.g., aggression) and psychological (e.g., depression) difficulties (Florsheim et al, 1998;Pleck, 1997).…”