EARLY-CHILDHOOD SOCIALIZATION IN HISPANIC FAMILIES - CONTEXT, CULTURE, AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Research on early childhood socialization suggests that Hispanic paren ts differ from parents of other ethnic groups in their child rearing v alues and the interpersonal behavior they want their children to displ ay at home and school. In this article, the influence of context and c ulture on child rearing is shown through a review of conceptual framew orks for understanding child socialization in both minority and nonmin ority families and research on infant-mother attachment and parental b eliefs about young children's behavior. This review indicates that par ent and child behaviors are a result of different socialization proces ses that encompass specific cultural values. Implications for professi onal practice are drawn for child assessment and psychotherapy, family therapy, and parenting skills programs conducted with Hispanics.