Collectivism and individualism: Jordanian mothers’ child-rearing values

Abstract

ABSTRACT Values have complex constructions and are influenced by the larger cultural ideologies of the society. The child-rearing values parents embrace for their children exert telling influences on their development. This study explores the values mothers wish to instil in their children in Jordan. Semi-structured interviews with 71 mothers were conducted. The findings revealed mothers’ emphasis on values associated with Proper Demeanor, Decency, Lovingness, and Self-Maximisation, respectively. Jordanian mothers were found to emphasise values associated with collectivism and values associated with individualism. The study concludes that unitary conceptualisation of child-rearing values as purely collectivist or purely individualist is an inaccurate simplistic classification.