For This Week's Forum: Read The Article By Annette La 158259

For This Weeks Forum Read The Article By Annette Lareau Link Here

For this week's forum, read the article by Annette Lareau ( link here ) on social class and parenting. In your forum post, make sure to explain: 1. What is the difference between concerted cultivation and the accomplishment of natural growth? 2. What is your reaction to Lareau's research (the method she used, her findings, etc)? 3. How do your childhood experiences fit in with these two parenting styles? *please note that we are no longer using forums, but that you will be writing a journal entry to me only (so basically just your original post). The new rubric is as follows: Numeric Grade Description 10 Excellent connections to course material; extremely thoughtful; outstanding Some connections to course material; needs more thoughtful analysis Discusses supplemental reading/prompt but very little course connection or thoughtful analysis Lack of thoughtful analysis or meaningful connection to course materials Not submitted or not relevant

Paper For Above instruction

Annette Lareau's groundbreaking research on social class and parenting styles delineates two primary approaches: concerted cultivation and the accomplishment of natural growth. These contrasting parenting strategies significantly influence children's development, social interactions, and future opportunities. This essay explores these concepts, analyzes my reaction to Lareau's methodology and findings, and reflects on how my childhood experiences align with these parenting frameworks.

Understanding Concerted Cultivation and Natural Growth

Concerted cultivation is a parenting style characterized by deliberate efforts to foster children’s talents and skills through organized activities, reasoning, and normative negotiation. Parents employing this approach often enroll children in multiple extracurricular activities, encourage discussions about their opinions, and actively shape their social environments (Lareau, 2011). This method is prevalent among middle-class families, emphasizing the development of cultural capital and preparing children for institutional interactions such as school and employment.

In contrast, the accomplishment of natural growth is a more hands-off approach predominantly observed among working-class and lower-income families. Parents focus on providing basic necessities—food, safety, and love—while allowing children to self-direct their play and socialization. Children tend to have more unstructured time, and interactions with authority figures are often more hierarchical and less negotiated. This style fosters independence and resilience but may limit children’s exposure to the cultural competencies valued in institutions like schools (Lareau, 2011).

Lareau's Methodology and Findings

Lareau employed ethnographic research methods, including in-depth interviews and participant observation, to examine parental practices across different social classes. Her qualitative approach allowed for a nuanced understanding of how familial interactions and resource access influence child development. Her findings revealed that middle-class parents actively cultivate their children's skills and social connections, reinforcing social mobility opportunities. Conversely, working-class parents tend to prioritize nurturing and providing stability, with less emphasis on structured development.

My reaction to Lareau's research is one of profound appreciation for its depth and implications. Her meticulous ethnography underscores the subtle ways social class shapes parenting behaviors, often perpetuating social inequalities. I find her findings compelling because they demonstrate that parenting styles are not merely personal choices but are deeply embedded in economic and cultural contexts. However, I also ponder the limitations—such as whether these styles are rigid or can be adapted across different settings and individual circumstances.

Personal Reflection

Reflecting on my childhood, I observe elements of both parenting styles. My parents valued education and extracurricular activities, aligning with concerted cultivation—enrolling me in music lessons and encouraging academic achievement. Simultaneously, they also fostered independence through unstructured play and allowed me to solve problems on my own, resembling the accomplishment of natural growth. This blended approach shaped me into a confident individual capable of navigating institutional settings while maintaining resilience and adaptability.

In conclusion, Lareau's distinction between concerted cultivation and natural growth provides vital insights into how social class influences parenting and, consequently, life chances. Recognizing these styles enhances understanding of social inequalities and underscores the importance of policy interventions to foster equitable development opportunities for all children.

References

• Lareau, A. (2011). Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life. University of California Press.
• Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Harvard University Press.
• Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Routledge.
• Lareau, A., & Weininger, E. (2003). Cultural Capital in Educational Research: A Critical Assessment. Theory and Society, 32(5-6), 567-606.
• Reay, D., David, M., & Ball, S. (2005). Degrees of Choice: Class, Race, and the Higher Education Process. Routledge.
• Bowles, S., & Gintis, H. (1976). Schooling in Capitalist America. Basic Books.
• Johnson, R. C. (2011). Long-Run Impacts of Childhood Access to the Earned Income Tax Credit. American Economic Review, 101(7), 487-93.
• Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (Eds.). (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. National Academies Press.
• Harklau, L. (2016). Rethinking Parent Engagement in Education. Review of Educational Research, 86(2), 395-437.
• Fiske, S. T. (2014). Social cognition and social perception. Psychology Press.