Unconventional Parenting Methods Globally That Could Astonish U.S. Citizens
In the vast, interconnected world we live in, it's not uncommon for cultural differences to surprise and intrigue us. This rings particularly true when it comes to parenting practices, as customs that seem ordinary in one corner of the globe can appear shocking to visitors from another. This article delves into various parenting styles across Japan, Scandinavia, China, Italy, Europe, France, Africa, and beyond, highlighting practices that contrast starkly with typical American parenting styles.
In Japan, for instance, it's common for children to run errands and walk to school alone, a practice that reflects the cultural trust placed in children's independence [1]. In Scandinavia, babies often nap outdoors, a practice that may seem unusual but aligns with local beliefs about fresh air supporting child health [1]. In China, some babies do not wear many clothes, even in cold weather, as parents believe it strengthens their resilience [1].
Italian children tend to have different sleep routines and perhaps less total sleep early on, but they benefit from better "sleep hygiene" compared to American adolescents [1]. This is mirrored in European countries like Spain and Germany, where children of all genders often wear only swimsuit bottoms at the beach or pool [2].
Many non-American cultures maintain collectivist parenting approaches, where caregiving is shared among extended family and community members [1][3]. For example, Indian families often practice "multiple childcare," where babies are cared for by various relatives rather than just their mother, supporting the family's collective functioning and enabling mothers to work or fulfill other duties [1]. African communities like the BaYaka provide examples where older children also engage in caregiving, a practice that contrasts with Western norms of age segregation and exclusive parental responsibility [3].
These cultural practices can surprise American visitors because American parenting norms are often more individualistic, protective, and centred on direct parental control and responsibility [4]. Differences in levels of child independence, physical contact, sleep arrangements, communal childcare, and expectations of children's self-sufficiency can cause American parents or observers to perceive foreign customs as neglectful, risky, or simply strange.
However, it's essential to remember that these variations in parenting practices result from underlying cultural values—such as collectivism versus individualism, beliefs about child autonomy and resilience, and the role of extended family—and these divergent foundations lead to parenting styles that feel normal locally but unusual to outsiders from the U.S. [1][3].
In conclusion, the world is a rich tapestry of diverse parenting practices, each rooted in its unique cultural values. As we continue to navigate our globalised world, understanding and respecting these differences can foster a more empathetic and inclusive global community.
References: [1] Gruber, T. (2019). Parenting Around the World: What We Can Learn from Other Cultures. Greater Good, University of California, Berkeley. [2] Kimmel, S. (2018). The Differences in Parenting Styles Around the World. Psychology Today. [3] Knafo, M. (2010). The Geography of Parenting: How Culture Shapes the Way We Raise Our Children. Scientific American. [4] Lamb, M. E., & Lewis, M. (2016). Anthropology and the Study of Parent-Child Relationships: An Introduction. Annual Review of Anthropology, 45, 117-130.
- In some cultures, such as Scandinavia, babies may nap outdoors to promote health, contrasting with the usual indoor napping practices in America.
- The lifestyle in many African communities like the BaYaka involves older children engaging in caregiving, a practice opposed to Western norms of age segregation and exclusive parental responsibility.
- Different nations, such as Japan and China, often exhibit unique child-rearing practices like independent children running errands or babies going without many clothes despite the cold.
- The world's diverse parenting practices, like those in European countries where children often wear only swimsuit bottoms at the beach, are rooted in underlying cultural values that may seem surprising or unusual to American visitors.
