From Unequal Childhoods by Annette Lareau
Lareau explores the largely invisible but powerful ways that parents' social class impacts children's life experiences. Using in-depth interviews she documents that inequality permeates the fabric of culture across class lines. Differences in child-rearing practices across class lines is systematic, with middle-class children internalizing values that are more likely to produce a socioeconomic advantage as they move into adulthood and the labor force.
-How do class-based child-rearing practices result in the transmission of differential advantage to children?

Question

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The Answer is Class-based child-rearing practices result in the transmission of differential advantage to children in several ways. First, middle-class parents are more likely to engage in concerted cultivation, which involves actively fostering their children's talents, skills, and abilities through organized activities, structured schedules, and constant interaction with adults. This approach helps children develop a sense of entitlement, self-confidence, and the ability to navigate institutional settings, all of which are advantageous in the labor force.

On the other hand, working-class and poor parents tend to practice natural growth, which allows children more freedom to play and explore on their own, but may not provide the same level of exposure to organized activities and adult interactions. As a result, children from these backgrounds may not develop the same level of comfort and familiarity with institutional settings, and may lack the same sense of entitlement and self-advocacy as their middle-class peers.

Additionally, middle-class parents are more likely to advocate for their children within institutional settings, such as schools, healthcare, and extracurricular activities, which can lead to better opportunities and resources for their children. This advocacy can result in better educational outcomes, access to influential networks, and a greater sense of agency and empowerment for middle-class children.

Overall, the differential advantage that is transmitted to children through class-based child-rearing practices is rooted in the social, cultural, and economic capital that middle-class parents are able to provide for their children, which in turn shapes their life experiences and opportunities as they move into adulthood.