Cultural Influences on Parenting

Expert-defined terms from the Graduate Certificate in Parent Education for Bilingualism course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.

Cultural Influences on Parenting

A #

A

Acculturation #

The process by which individuals or groups adapt to a new cultural environment by acquiring the values, beliefs, and customs of the dominant culture while retaining aspects of their original culture.

Assimilation #

The process by which individuals or groups fully adopt the cultural norms and values of the dominant culture, often resulting in the loss of their original cultural identity.

B #

B

Bicultural #

Refers to individuals who are able to function effectively in two different cultures, often as a result of being raised in a multicultural or bilingual environment.

C #

C

Cultural Competence #

The ability to interact effectively with people from different cultures, demonstrating an understanding and respect for cultural differences.

Cultural Identity #

The sense of belonging and attachment to a particular culture, including language, traditions, values, and beliefs.

Cultural Sensitivity #

Being aware of and respectful towards the cultural differences of others, including recognizing the impact of culture on behavior and beliefs.

Cultural Values #

Beliefs and principles that are important to a specific culture, influencing attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making.

D #

D

Diversity #

The presence of a variety of different cultures, languages, and backgrounds within a particular group or society.

E #

E

Ethnicity #

Shared cultural traits, such as language, religion, and customs, that distinguish a particular group of people from others.

Ethnocentrism #

The belief that one's own cultural group is superior to others, often leading to prejudice and discrimination against individuals from different cultures.

G #

G

Generational Differences #

Variations in beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors between different generations within a family, often influenced by cultural norms and values.

H #

H

Heritage Language #

The language that is spoken by an individual's ancestors or family members, often passed down through generations.

I #

I

Immigrant #

A person who moves to a new country to live permanently, often seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing persecution in their home country.

Intercultural Communication #

The exchange of information between individuals or groups from different cultures, involving an awareness of cultural differences and effective communication strategies.

Intersectionality #

The interconnected nature of social categorizations, such as race, gender, and class, that create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

L #

L

Language Acquisition #

The process of learning a new language, often beginning in childhood and continuing throughout a person's lifetime.

M #

M

Minority #

A group within a society that is smaller in number or has less power than the dominant group, often facing discrimination or marginalization.

Multiculturalism #

The coexistence of multiple cultural groups within a society, valuing and respecting cultural diversity.

P #

P

Parenting Styles #

Patterns of behavior and attitudes that parents use to raise their children, influenced by cultural beliefs and practices.

Prejudice #

Negative attitudes or beliefs held about individuals or groups based on stereotypes, often leading to discrimination and unfair treatment.

R #

R

Race #

A socially constructed category based on physical characteristics, such as skin color or facial features, often used to categorize people into different groups.

S #

S

Socialization #

The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors of their culture through interactions with family, peers, and society.

Stigma #

Negative attitudes or beliefs held about individuals who are perceived as different or deviating from societal norms, often leading to social exclusion or discrimination.

T #

T

Tradition #

Customs, beliefs, or practices that are passed down from generation to generation within a culture, shaping identity and creating a sense of continuity.

U #

U

Unconscious Bias #

Implicit attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner, often based on cultural or social conditioning.

W #

W

Worldview #

A set of beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape an individual's perspective on the world, influencing their behavior and attitudes towards others.

Z #

Z

Zygote #

The initial cell formed by the fusion of a sperm and an egg during fertilization, containing the genetic material of both parents and developing into an embryo.

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