From: Scott R (jse885@spinn.net)
Date: Sun Sep 28 2003 - 02:51:07 BST
DMB,
> One of the interesting points made in Lila on this topic is how parenting
> styles of the intellectuals of the 20's and 30's differed from that of the
> Victorians. They seemed to take opposite sides, but Pirsig was careful to
> point out that what he thought was really going on was a shift from
European
> social values to Indian social values. Not that every native was kind to
> children or that every white parent was harsh or cruel, but as a general
> rule that was true. I mean, how long has Europe honored that old
> spare-the-rod style of parenting? And to take it a bit further. I think we
> can see that both methods are aimed at socializing the child. They both
work
> to transmit the culture and thereby mollify and modify the biological
level.
> The differences in parenting sytles are effectively a reflection of those
> two different cultures. The European culture putting the emphasis on order
> and hierarchy and the Native American culture putting the emphais on
freedom
> and individuality.
I think you are on iffy ground here. In my experience (not that much, but
some), while Navajo parents tend to let their kids play a lot more than
Anglos, for example, when eating out, so one could say that they tend to
allow their kids more freedom when growing up, but that does not translate
into what is expected of grownups. A Navajo criticism of someone (eg. for
being a drunk, thievery, etc.) is "He acts like he has no relatives". That
is, it is the shame brought on the family, not the individual, that is of
concern.
Don't ask me how much, if any, spanking or whatnot goes on, I don't know.
- Scott
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