Natural Growth, Parenting Style

Accomplishment of natural growth is one of a pair of terms coined by sociologist Annette Lareau to refer to two distinct modes of child-rearing characteristic of American middle- and working-class parents. The other approach is known as concerted cultivation. The distinction between these two types of child-rearing is important for understanding how social class shapes the everyday dynamics of children’s and parents’ lives and how modes of child-rearing contribute to the ensuring of future educational and class advantage. This entry introduces the concept of natural growth and contrasts it with the concerted cultivation approach to parenting.

Natural Growth

Lareau’s study followed 12 families over 2 years using intensive observation, she and her research team observed the families at home, in the community, and in interaction with ...

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