In Monday's class we began to explore the role of culture as an influence in childrearing and on the parent-child relationship. We discussed how a culture's norms and values are transmitted through parents through their actions and expectations of their children, in what they teach and how they teach it. We discussed how parents and families can differ along cultural continuua, encouraging for instance independence and others encouraging interdependence. Some families promoting more individualistic behaviors and others operating on more collecitivistic principles. And so on.
In this video clip*, we see parents representing different cultures all performing the same parenting task: providing an environment for a young child (or children) to learn about feeding, self-feeding, and eating.
As you watch this clip, what differences do you see? What motivations or values might the parent(s) have for feeding or encouraging eating and feeding in children as you observe it? What is the child learning from this? And how might the action represent facets of culture?
*click the link to open the video in another window. Click the small box in the lower right corner of the video to open to full screen.
The primary difference between the three families is how the children are eating: the first has the child alone with his food learning to explore his surroundings freely, the second shows children independently eating with utensils, and the third has the mother feeding her children. While different, each family is driven by a different rational value they wish to instill in their children. The first and second families value independence, so their children are developing independent skills such as feeding themselves effectively with utensils. The third family values interdependence. The mother then feeds her children to avoid spills and mess, and to show her children they should appreciate help from others. Each value is a representation of cultural differences that exist. This video clip is reflective of the value placed on independence in typical western cultures, and the value placed on interdependence in typical eastern cultures.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference between the families was whether the parents let their babies independently eat and experience eating their food or they focused on interdependence and the parents would help in the eating process. Neither of these are worse or better than the other in my opinion. The parents that are letting their child eat themselves are allowing them to develop their motor skills. At the same time the baby is learning what is it like to feed themselves. If the parents value the child being independent than this is the right route for them. On the other hand, if wants want their children to be a bit more interdependent, parents may want to take the route of feeding their children. Having the child be interdependent does make it easier on the parents when it comes to clean up. Ultimately, I think that the feeding style you choose is up to how your family best works and functions.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference that I noticed between the families was the way in which they thought about how they should feed their child. The first family thought that it was more important for their child to have a sensory experience filled with curiosity and self independence and the second family found it more important to make sure their child wasn't making a mess while they fed them. The two different forms of approaching feeding came from two very different view points. At first I found the second form of feeding, having the mother spoon feed them, a bit uncomfortable to watch because it just seems like they are babying their 4 year old. However in this case, they realize they are feeding their perfectly capable child, however they don't believe it is bad for their child to understand that accepting help is okay. They are encouraging them to accept help, but at the same time they know that eventually their child will eat on their own and develop that independence. Whereas the first family really wanted their child to experience that self-independence early on in their child's life. I don't think there is anything wrong with either approach, they each seem to have their advantages.
ReplyDeleteThe main difference about each of the three families was how they fed their children. In the first one you can see that the child had the freedom to do as he pleased with the food and was able to explore the food. In the second family the children had a little less independence with the food. The mother was close by supervising but the children were able to feed themselves in a more controlled manner. In the last one the mother had complete control over the food and was hand feeding her 2 and 4 year old. I understand how each approach has their advantages. I did not feel too uncomfortable watching the third family. I know my younger sisters were hand fed and then when they were able too fed themselves like in the second family. However, there were times when my mother would hand feed them if they were too distracted and ignoring their food.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that the parens both had different motives for why they fed their child in a certain way. The first set of parents wanted their son to experience his food and how to feed himself, no matter how messy he got in the proces. This child is learning how to get food from the plate to his mouth by himself. He is also feeling the food before he puts it in his mouth so he will be able to experience the food better and understand the texture before he puts it in his mouth. The second parent with the two children valued interdependance, and as a result she personally fed her two children. She felt that it was more important for a child to be properly nuroushed and clean instead of getting messy in the process of eating. The child is learning that she is taken care of and that her mother cares for her basic needs. These children may be more likely to feed their children in the same way, carrying on the culture of their family.
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ReplyDeleteThe clear differences in feeding habits can point to different skills that are being encouraged in the children. For the children that fed themselves, they may be learning how to accomplish a task with little help. They may be learning something as simple as how to hold a spoon so that the food reaches their mouth.They may also learn something such as, If I am not careful with food, I can get it all over myself. That piece of learning could be further encouraged by a parent that explains why a child may not want to be covered in food (bugs, purpose of presenting ourselves as clean, etc.).
ReplyDeleteFor the children that are being fed by the parent, they are learning how to accept help and that it is okay to do so. They may also be learning that their parent is there to take care of them. Seemingly small parent/child interactions can point to larger values and truths that a parent may hold and want to pass on to their child. They could do this by further explaining the behavior, the reason for it, and its meaning.
When I was watching this clip, all I could really focus on is the societal differences surrounding food that we have established as different cultures. In the United States, people make a whole experience out of eating. We here eat for pleasure, satisfaction, and we eat to fulfill emotions whether positive or negative emotions. Often times, most things we do revolve around food. We plan our days around breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We gather as friends, partners, or families for a meal. It is more common to say "let's go grab lunch" than it is to say "lets go on a walk" when connecting with an old friend. I really saw this part of our american culture portrayed by the clip. The american child is described as having a "total sensory experience", with music and feeling the food and deriving pleasure out of the experience. However, a lot of other cultures simply eat for nutrition and fuel. Although the video described the asian woman's feeding habits in a sense of waste and efficiency, all I could think about was how her children seemed to just being fed for nutrition. They ate because they needed the fuel and continued with their day. These habits are enforced by culture and are even furthered encouraged by early feeding styles by parents.
ReplyDeleteIn each of the families, different values hold precedence. The first family valued independence - allowing their child to eat on their own, and creating a full sensory experience for the child to explore. The second child was also eating independently, but with utensils, as they had reached that developmental milestone. The parents allowed their child to struggle a bit to get the food into their mouth from the spoon, and likely had a bit of a mess to clean up afterward. The family with the two-year-old and four-year-old clearly valued both interdependence and allowing the children to progress toward independent behavior much more gradually. This was evidenced by the mother feeding both of her children. This also might display a parental preference toward cleanliness.
ReplyDeleteIn the first clip with the child in the high-chair, the parents were allowing the child to feed himself at his own pace. There was no concern of the mess being made, and it seemed that time was not a factor. The child was able to assert his agency on how he proceeded. The parents were content to observe their child as he experienced the different textures and flavors of the food. The child was free to eat what he wanted, and take their time.
ReplyDeleteThe second clip had two children using utensils, though it was clear that if the children were to use fingers, that was acceptable. Manual dexterity can be a challenge for kids, and the parent was not so concerned with how they ate, as much as they did eat, and were contented. This was a good example of quality family time, as the children and the parent were in the moment and not having to care about etiquette and table manners.
The third clip was interesting in that I had not really thought about learning interdependence (or teaching it) at a young age. I understood how the simple act of feeding their child would evoke a nurturing and caring affect as the child matured. It really had nothing to do with keeping the child clean, or having a short time to feed in the first place. It was a demonstration on how each person in the family may rely on each other.
In the first clip with the child in the high-chair, the parents were allowing the child to feed himself at his own pace. There was no concern of the mess being made, and it seemed that time was not a factor. The child was able to assert his agency on how he proceeded. The parents were content to observe their child as he experienced the different textures and flavors of the food. The child was free to eat what he wanted, and take their time.
ReplyDeleteThe second clip had two children using utensils, though it was clear that if the children were to use fingers, that was acceptable. Manual dexterity can be a challenge for kids, and the parent was not so concerned with how they ate, as much as they did eat, and were contented. This was a good example of quality family time, as the children and the parent were in the moment and not having to care about etiquette and table manners.
The third clip was interesting in that I had not really thought about learning interdependence (or teaching it) at a young age. I understood how the simple act of feeding their child would evoke a nurturing and caring affect as the child matured. It really had nothing to do with keeping the child clean, or having a short time to feed in the first place. It was a demonstration on how each person in the family may rely on each other.