Low socioeconomic status Mexican American parents' perceptions of factors that influence their children's development : an ethnographic study
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Date
1995
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Abstract
Parents' perceptions of child development appeared to be constructed by complex interactions between cultural, social, and economic contexts. Such perceptions influence how parents view their children's growth and development. An interest in the study of minority child development is critical given the rapidly increasing diversity of the United States. Insights into how parents from culturally diverse backgrounds perceive the development of their children might explain why cultural groups foster the development of different skills in their children. While relatively few studies have been conducted to explore perceptions of child development among culturally diverse parents, concerns raised in these studies suggest the application of alternative designs to explore parental perceptions of child development. The present study explored the perceptions of child development among Mexican American parents of low socioeconomic status through a series of ethnographic interviews which examined parents' perceptions of important developmental changes in their children and the factors they view influence those changes. Three research questions were proposed:What are Mexican American parents' perceptions of important changes in their children?, What are Mexican American parents' perceptions of factors that influence these changes?, Why are these changes in their children important for Mexican American parents? The analysis of data I yielded three main themes of importance for parents: "changes" "attitudes/values", and "adaptations". The findings were discussed as they relate to participants in their specific context. Participants' perceptions of their children's development and the factors influencing development appeared to be permeated by their systems of values and beliefs as well as by their experiences as ethnic minorities in the United States.
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Major school psychology