Keywords

child behavior, culture, cross-cultural studies, parenting

Abstract

Whether specific patterns of parenting are similarly associated with child peer group behavior in diverse cultural contexts has been a fascinating topic of inquiry. From classic anthropological studies dating back to the early twentieth century to the current interest in cross-cultural studies, knowledge concerning the question of universality and cultural variation in parenting linkages to childhood adjustment has expanded at an unprecedented rate (e.g., Harkness & Super, 2002). As the general field of parenting research has uncovered distinctions in parenting styles and practices (e.g., Darling & Steinberg, 1993; hart, Newell, & Olsen, 2003), these concepts have increasingly been applied to other cultures as well. Furthermore, the study of peer relationships has also increased in complexity. For example, descriptions of social behavior has evolved to represent significant subtypes of childhood aggression (e.g., physical and relational) and peer withdrawal (e.g., reticence, solitary–passive, solitary–active).

Original Publication Citation

Nelson, D. A., Nelson, L. J., Hart, C. H., Yang, C. & Jin, S. (2006). Parenting and peer group behavior in cultural context. In X. Chen, D. French, & B. Schneider (Eds.), Peer relationships in cultural context (pp. 213-246). New York: Cambridge University Press.