Assignment task: Race and Class in Child-rearing
Annette Lareau's article considers race and social class in a discussion of parenting and family life. Her in-depth ethnographic research reveals numerous differences in child rearing practices between middle-class and working class or poor families.
Q1. Discuss Lareau's findings about the differences in child-rearing practices between upper and working class families. Identify and define the class-related categories that Lareau uses to describe parenting techniques.
Q2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each category?
Q3. What difference does race make when it comes to raising children?
Q4. What surprised you the most in this reading?