Throughout our world there are many different cultures, races, and ethnicity but one thing that is universal, motherhood. Motherhood is one of the toughest jobs in the world no matter where in the world you come from. Birthing and raising a child is a spoken language between all mothers of the world. There is an unspoken bond between mothers throughout the world, they know the struggles of going through one of the hardest things in the world. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t cultural differences when raising a child.
For the infant age, I noticed a major cultural difference is a baby’s sleeping arrangements. In the United States, it is common that a child sleeps in a crib alone in another room. However, in many parts of the world there is a high percentage of babies that actually sleep right next to their mothers. In America, babies sleeping in other rooms promotes a baby’s independent self. The independent self is having a child sleep alone to prevent any present and future bad habits. It also slowly helps children become more independent. However, countries that sleep with the child can promote an interdependent self. The interdependent self is using co sleeping to help build a strong and stable bond with the baby. Countries that promote sleeping with the baby usually sleep on bedding that is harder and has lighter sheets. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation.
When a toddler reaches a certain age they will begin to learn how to play by themselves. Make-believe play is something that every child in the world experiences at some point during their childhood. Make believe play is an excellent way for children to grow both their cognitive and social domains. Children should always be encouraged to have make- believe play. In the United States, make believe play is usually interactive between the mother and the child. With the mothers help in this kind of play, the easier it is for the child to join in and play. Typically around a year old, make believe play becomes one sided with the child. However, in other countries, make believe play is an interaction between the older siblings and the child. Rather than the mother joining the child to play, the siblings join and play with the child. Make believe play is a perfect way to introduce children to their culture.
Here’s a link to a fascinating article:
Bornstein, M. H. (2012, June 14). Cultural Approaches to Parenting. Retrieved December 06, 2020, from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15295192.2012.683359?casa_token=Z3jQ6cPCkIkAAAAA%3AVwGGhW3Y60sBRd7Xw-oP24NGYx92DS3Fo2Ggb09PH8gTcPVjb08f9H_7B4uTVsWkVvDq6ImwwESu