Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

Chapter 4: Nurturance, Parenting, and Caregiving

  • Page ID
    326559
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dsum}{\displaystyle\sum\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dint}{\displaystyle\int\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\dlim}{\displaystyle\lim\limits} \)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    ( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

    \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

    \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

    \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

    \(\newcommand{\longvect}{\overrightarrow}\)

    \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

    \(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)

    Learning Objectives

    1. Explain the importance of caregiving relationships using a family or parenting theory or perspective.
    2. Discuss the significance of attachment.
    3. Describe the demographic changes that affect parenting, grandparenting, and other caregiving relationships.
    4. Explain how public policies can affect family structures and parenting practices.
    5. Explain the significance of the U.S. role in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child.
    6. Describe stigmas associated with parenting as well as with being childless or childfree.
    7. Explain the difference between family forms and family functions.
    8. Analyze parenting and caregiving from an equity perspective.
    • 4.1: Chapter Reading Guide
      This page discusses caregiving relationships in families, including parenting and grandparenting. It presents theoretical frameworks to analyze family behavior, the influence of public policy, and the differences between family form and function. Key learning objectives focus on attachment, demographic trends in caregiving, and an equity-based analysis of parenting, while also introducing important terms that enhance comprehension of family dynamics.
    • 4.2: Nurturance - Caring for Others
      This page explores the roles of caregiving and receiving in family life, extending beyond traditional parenting to encompass relations with adults and elders. It discusses societal influences on these roles, multigenerational households, and the social construction of parenting, noting how demographic changes are reshaping contemporary family structures.
    • 4.3: Family and Parenting Theories and Perspectives
      This page covers child development theories, particularly ecological systems and attachment theories, highlighting their impacts on emotional bonds and future relationships. It notes cultural influences on attachment styles and the nature vs. nurture debate, discussing four parenting styles and their effects on outcomes. The distinction between "concerted cultivation" and "natural growth" in parenting illustrates how socioeconomic status affects approaches to child-rearing.
    • 4.4: Changing Demographics
      This page examines demographic changes in U.S. family structures, noting declining birth and fertility rates, an aging population, and diverse parenting arrangements like single and co-parenting. It highlights the rise of multigenerational families due to increased life expectancy, with grandparents increasingly involved in caregiving. The pandemic has further influenced these dynamics, as evidenced by a rise in multigenerational home purchases.
    • 4.5: Public Policy and Parenting
      This page examines how public policies, such as the U.S. zero-tolerance immigration strategy and incarceration, affect family attachment and parent-child relationships. It highlights the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implications, particularly regarding family separations and their psychological impacts. Additionally, it discusses the challenges faced by families during the COVID-19 pandemic and employs ecological systems theory to analyze immigrant and refugee experiences.
    • 4.6: Family Forms and Functions
      This page examines the social construction of family forms, challenging the nuclear family ideal and highlighting diverse structures like single, blended, and LGBTQIA+ families. It addresses societal stigmas, the impacts of disability, poverty, and the emotional challenges families face, particularly during crises like COVID-19. Case studies and statistics underscore the strain on parents and caregivers, advocating for better support systems.
    • 4.7: Looking Ahead- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
      This page emphasizes the importance of attachment in child development and the detrimental effects of disrupted attachments, which can cause long-term psychological and health problems, including substance abuse. It presents strategies from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network for aiding traumatized children across different age groups, particularly in light of the challenges faced by families during the pandemic.
    • 4.8: Going Deeper
      This page offers supplemental resources on caregiving and kinship, including additional readings, videos, and reflective questions to deepen understanding of family structures and sociological perspectives. It reiterates key terms for clarity and presents "Esther’s Story" to showcase challenges faced by refugee families, with discussion questions to promote critical thinking about their experiences and related policy implications.


    This page titled Chapter 4: Nurturance, Parenting, and Caregiving is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Elizabeth B. Pearce (OpenOregon) .