In her research Annette Lareau has identified three ways that middle class and working class/poor families raise their children differently (how children spend their free time, how language is used in their homes, and how their parents interact with schools/teachers). In the lecture I explained the difference in how children spend their free time.

 

1-Explain how language use is different in middle class families in comparison to working class families (make sure you use both Brooks and Heller to answer this question)

 

2-Explain how middle class parents interacted with schools/teachers in comparison to how working class parents interacted with schools and teachers (use Heller, but notice that this issue is addressed in Heller’s questions about Lareau’s first book and her more recent book)

 

3-Lareau’s research focuses on families of different social classes. She is asked in the interview if racial differences played a role in how parents raised their children. She answers, “yes and no”. Explain why she says “yes” and why she answers “no” (Heller)

 

4-Lareau explains that she is not making a moral judgment about parenting styles. She notes that concerted cultivation and the accomplishment of natural growth each have advantages and disadvantages.  Explain her point. (Brooks and Heller)

 

5- What do you think about Lareau’s research? Do the points she makes about the class differences in how children spend their free time, how language is used, and how parents interact with authority figures seem accurate given your own life experience? Do you see the pattern she points to in other families you are familiar with? Or does your life experience provide a counter example to the pattern she identifies. What questions do you have about her research?