Cultures

Societies are likely to foster principally individualism or interdependence in their children, whether they believe in individualism or interdependence depends on their cultural beliefs and values.

‘Culture is the sum total of all contributions of a group of people, in a designated area, within a given time. It represents, more specifically, the aesthetic or intellectual achievements or appreciation of an individual or society, and the lifestyle of a society as passed of from generation to generation (Funk & Wagnalls, 1997).’

Culture is passed on by the process of acculturation. This is the process by which families and caregivers teach children about their culture. ‘Acculturation includes all the aspects of chid rearing that enable the child to know and understand a society’s values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.’ (Philips, 1995
as cited in Berk, 2000)
Whether they foster independence or interdependence depends on the cultural rules of the people who raise ...