A Comparison of West German and Guestworker Parent’s Childrearing Attitudes and Expectations

Abstract

Dependent children of West Germanys nearly 5 million guestworkers lack legal rights to education many do not attend classes and less than 1% graduate from an academic high school. Related delinquency and social unrest among guestworkers children has led to increased government interest in public education programs for these minority groups. In an effort to analyze differences in parenting attitudes and expectations among the guestworker minority groups the Parent As A Teacher (PAAT) survey previously translated and validated in the US and Mexico was distributed in native language translations to 1080 German Turkish Greek and Italian households in Bavaria--all parents of kindergarten and 1st grade students. Multivariate analysis of variance applied to the 370 respondant questionnaires measured differences in 5 content areas of parental need: creativity fustration control play and teaching-learning. These parents of 5 and 6 year olds did not differ significantly in their expectations for sons and daughters; mothers and fathers shared similar attitudes on childrearing. While Greek and Italian parent shared a more dominant and protective parental attitude German and Turkish parents held similar views favoring early independence. Length of parents residence has a positive effect on parental attitudes. Researchers recommend increased educational programs for the parent/guestworkers as well as development of culturally sensitive and relevant curricula for each major ethnic group in the public schools. (summaries in ENG FRE SPA)