Child development - Families and Parenting

Question 1

What are the United Nations convention on the rights of a child? (1989) Give examples

Answer 1

40 specific rights e.g:

• the right to life, survival and development
• the right to a name, nationality, freedom of expression and access to information concerning them
• the right to live in a family environment or alternative care, and to have contact with both parents wherever possible
• the right to education, leisure, culture and the arts

Question 2

What responsibilities do parents have at birth? UK laws

Answer 2

Mother has responsibility from birth

Father has parental responsibility only if married at child’s birth

Question 3

What is Baumrinds theory on the 3 styles of parenting? (1967)

Answer 3

1. Authoritarian - strict ideas about discipline and behaviour that
2. Authoritative - ideas about discipline and behaviour that are explained and discussed with children
3. Permissive - relaxed ideas about discipline & behaviour

Question 4

What is Maccoby & Martins suggested styles of parenting? (1983)

Answer 4

Demanding (behavioural control) and responsiveness (psychological control)

Question 5

What does authoritative parenting entail? (M&M)

Answer 5

-parental acceptance and warmth
-supervision and strictness
-democracy and supporting autonomy
Steinberg (1992) - study of 6400 adolescents showed authoritative parenting shows better academic achievement and social competence

Question 6

What is the current English law on child punishment?

Answer 6

Parents have the right to make choices about punishment

Question 7

How do we define a dependent child?

Answer 7

living at home, unmarried, financially dependent on parents

Question 8

How important are fathers in child development?

Answer 8

changing role, present at birth, increasing child-rearing involvement, legislation

Question 9

How important are grandparents in child development?

Answer 9

emotional/financial support for parents

experienced in child-rearing, surrogates

Question 10

Explain a child’s developing interest in peers

Answer 10

12-18 months: will touch mum but look at unfamiliar peer more than mum
2 years: eliciting peer attention or imitating peers

Question 11

Explain how children interact with each other during playtime between the ages 2-12

Answer 11

2-4 years: solitary, parallel, in proportion
5-6 years: more group play, larger groups, single sex
12+ years: cliques or gangs, to mixed sex crowds

Question 12

What is sociometry?

Answer 12

looks at social networks by directly observing the amount of time one
person is seen interacting with others
Sociometric status is calculated if children are asked who they like the most and who
they dislike the most (Cole, 1982)
Can also ask teachers/parents

Question 13

How can the results of who is liked and disliked be interpreted?

Answer 13

Most liked and least disliked – popular – socially competent
Most liked and most disliked – controversial – dominant, sociable, aggressive
Least liked and most disliked – rejected – at risk, withdrawal, high aggression
Least liked and least disliked – neglected - well-adjusted, shy

Question 14

What is Erickson’s theory?

Answer 14

adolescent identity development – period of role transition from
confusion to identity, finalising autonomy but leaving major life decisions open