Putting the “family” in family child care: The alignment between familismo (familism) and family child care providers’ descriptions of their work

Abstract

Latinx children under five years of age are more likely to experience home-based than center-based care (Crosby, Mendez, Guzman, & Lopez, 2016). A large and growing literature documents familismo (i.e., familism) and compadrazgo (literally, co-parenting) as common beliefs among Latino/a families who are themselves diverse in many ways including national origin, generational status, and SES. Using a cultural model framework (Quinn & Holland, 1987) and Eco(logical)-cultural Theory (Weisner, 2002, 2005), previous research indicated that family child care (FCC) providers’ descriptions of their work reflected varying prioritization of a Love and Affection cultural model. In this paper, we aimed to (a) explore the relevance of familismo and compadrazgo for FCC, and (b) refine and confirm the Love and Affection cultural model in a second sample of FCC providers. To do so, we conducted qualitative analyses of in-depth, semi-structured interviews as part of a larger study including licensed FCC providers serving children in selected areas of Los Angeles County. Many providers’ descriptions of their work contained elements of familismo and compadrazgo in ways that were quite compatible with a Love and Affection cultural model. We also identified barriers to Love and Affection. Local communities may be better able to meet the needs of Latino/a families by helping ECE professionals communicate and advertise their beliefs, as well as help Latino/a families identify ECE settings that prioritize Love and Affection.