Child-Rearing and Social Status

Abstract

Interviews with 48 middle-class and 52 lower-class mothers reveal that there are cultural differences in their child-rearing practices. Lower-class parents tend to be more permissive; middle-class children are made anxious by social pressure and suffer more frustration in learning. Early assumption of responsibility for the person and conformity to the group is more important to middle-class than to lower-class families.