Cultural and Social Values in Contemporary Parenting

RUNNING HEAD: HEALTH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
0
Health Families and
Communities
Student’s Details-
9/4/2019

HEALTH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES 1
Cultural and Social values, beliefs and practices relating to
families
Family values are the moral principles, cultural and social practices that are pertaining to
the family structure (Sarkisian & Gerstel, 2012). These values are regarded as the traditional
values that are important for the sound functioning of the family. Social and cultural values often
shape the parenting process and have due importance in the contemporary parenting practices
(Prioste, Narciso, Gonçalves, & Pereira, 2015). Also, there are challenges in the parenting
practices in contemporary society as family values shows the principles to be followed within the
family which may not be accurate for the child development. The values within the society have
impact on the child development through their cognition and emotions. In the essay, challenges
of parenting as per the socio-cultural perspective in the contemporary society are discussed along
with different facets of child development are explained. Here, the example that I have taken is
of me as a strict parent. Further, role of health and family nurse in supporting the parenting are
also discussed.
In contemporary society, parenting is highly influence by the values and culture within
the society. Religion influences the various aspects of parenting (Kehily, 2010). Further,
families face challenges in the parenting of their children due to the diversity in the family
structure which includes ethnic differences. For example, if one family believes in the practice of
being strict with the children, then it can affect the parenting and will ultimately impact the child
development. However, there are other challenges as well which includes in the family types
such as teenage parents and abusive parents (Sotomayor‐Peterson, Figueredo,
Christensen, & Taylor, 2012). By taking an example of strict parenting where culture and
values are the key components for the upbringing of a child, it can be noted that there are many
challenges that are faced by me as a parent and the child as well. When a child needs emotional
support, then the parents may not give him/her the right attention or care that is needed by the
children. This is because of the influence of the cultural values that the parents adhere. Apart
from this, when child is raised by teenagers or grandparents, then it could impact the
environment where the child is communicating. Apart from this, me as abusive parent can face
challenge in the development of my child. In the direction of the societal issue, it could impact

HEALTH FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES 2
the mental wellbeing of the child and could be harmful for the overall development of the child.
Also, strict parents who are financial unstable face a lot of issues in the development of the child.
This could impact the physical ability, psychological and educational wellbeing of the child
(McDevitt & Ormrod, 2010).
In the contemporary society, it is believed that social stability and personal competence
were the key factors that had influence on the family structure (Pauline & Turner, 2011).
Further, in the contemporary society, families are extended and every decision in the family was
taken by the prior acceptance of the family members (Féres-Carneiro, Henriques,
Magalhães, & Machado, 2016). Therefore, when child’s overall upbringing was influenced
due to interference of the different factors. Moreover, every family has different culture and their
impact is critical. Culture is determined by the group of society forming the ethnic groups that
have different beliefs and behavior. There is a challenge for parents in the contemporary society
as the child is expected to meet the requirements of a particular culture (Bornstein, 2012). For
example, if child wants to pursue a particular action that is against the pursuits of the society,
then me as a parent face challenges in balancing the child and the society needs if I am being
strict from the societal point of view. Moreover, in the contemporary societies, there are ongoing
issues that the child faces due the variations into the culture. Therefore, it can be said that there
are enormous challenges against the parents in the contemporary society from the socio-cultural
perspectives that have influence on the child development and overall parenting practice.
Child development is regarded as the changes that take place in a child during the entire
development process (Moore, 2017). These changes are the emotional, physical and cognitive
functionality. Therefore, I as the parent of my child have to analyze the different facets in order
to have better development of my child. Firstly, child needs to be developed in the size, shape
and improved physical abilities. I have to follow the intellectual development of my child by
making sure that my child is able to use correct language and speak in a coherent manner.
Physical development of my child will be attained through the proper diet and a routine manner
for the daily activities. This facet will make my child fit and often finding ability to fight from
the diseases by strengthening the immune system (Lee & McLanahan, 2015). Also, the social
development of my child will help in his ability to interact with others by developing skills and
knowledge. Social development is the entire process of interacting with the people. Thus, it is