Traditionally, Western Children Slept Separately

Traditionally The Children Of Western Parents Slept Separately In A C

Find an article (online is fine) discussing co-sleeping from a Western (U.S. and Western Europe) perspective and an article discussing co-sleeping from another cultural perspective (e.g., Asian, African, Latin American, Middle Eastern) and use a multicultural perspective to discuss the similarities and differences between the two perspective. Generate a thoughtful and informed response (1 page double spaced). Prepare to discuss in class.

Paper For Above instruction

Co-sleeping, the practice of sharing a sleeping environment with an infant or young child, varies significantly across different cultures. From a Western perspective, particularly in countries like the United States and much of Western Europe, sleeping separately is often considered the norm and is associated with promoting independence and establishing boundaries between parents and children. Western parents commonly place infants in cribs within their own bedrooms or separate rooms to foster self-reliance. Many health professionals in Western cultures also endorse this practice, citing benefits like better sleep for parents and the child’s development of autonomy. However, concerns about safety, particularly the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), have led to recommendations for safe sleep environments that discourage bed-sharing (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016). Despite these guidelines, a growing number of Western parents have adopted co-sleeping, emphasizing bonding, breastfeeding facilitation, and parent-infant attachment (Mindell & Sadeh, 2014). They often see co-sleeping as a natural and nurturing practice rooted in their cultural values of individualism and privacy.

In contrast, many non-Western cultures, such as in Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American societies, view co-sleeping as the normative and culturally appropriate way to raise children. For example, in many Asian cultures like Japan and China, co-sleeping is rooted in traditional values emphasizing familial closeness, collective caregiving responsibilities, and intergenerational bonding. It is believed to foster emotional security and facilitate breastfeeding and parental responsiveness (Chen & Li, 2014). Similarly, in African and Latin American cultures, co-sleeping is often part of communal living arrangements where extended family members live together, and children’s proximity to parents and relatives is seen as a protective and nurturing aspect of child-rearing (Melhuish et al., 2015). These societies tend to emphasize interdependence, collective identity, and the importance of family cohesion. Safety concerns related to SIDS are less emphasized, and practices may include co-sleeping on mattresses or beds that are designed to be safe for infants (Yoshida et al., 2020). Furthermore, co-sleeping is often tied to cultural notions of respect, tradition, and maintaining close family bonds.

From a multicultural perspective, the differences between Western and non-Western approaches to co-sleeping reflect underlying cultural values, social norms, and historical practices. Western cultures tend to prioritize individualism, independence, and privacy, which influence their preference for separate sleeping arrangements. Meanwhile, collectivist societies emphasize community, interdependence, and familial bonds, making co-sleeping an integral part of child-rearing. Despite these differences, both perspectives acknowledge the importance of the parent-child bond and attachment. The divergence in practices may also impact parental perceptions of independence and emotional security in children as they grow. Understanding these cultural nuances enhances our appreciation for diverse child-rearing practices and highlights the importance of contextually sensitive parenting advice and policies. Recognizing that co-sleeping may have different implications across cultures can foster greater cross-cultural understanding and support more inclusive discussions on infant health and family well-being.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Updated 2016 recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics, 138(5), e20162938.
• Chen, X., & Li, J. (2014). Childcare practices in Chinese families: Tradition and modernity. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 8(2), 153-164.
• Melhuish, E., Phung, T., & Belsky, J. (2015). Child-rearing practices and children’s well-being in Latin American cultures. Child Development Perspectives, 9(4), 271-276.
• Mindell, J. A., & Sadeh, A. (2014). Sleep and attachment in infancy and childhood. Sleep Medicine Clinics, 9(2), 243-255.
• Yoshida, K., Ota, E., & Matsuo, H. (2020). Cultural practices and infant sleep safety: A systematic review. Global Pediatric Health, 7, 2333794X20916182.