Children’s Social Behaviors and Peer Interactions in Diverse Cultures

Authors

Carolyn P. Edwards, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Maria deGuzman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jill Brown, Creighton UniversityFollow
Asiye Kumru, Ozyegin UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

2006

Citation

Edwards, C.P., deGuzman, M.T., Brown, J., & Kumru, A. (2006). Children’s social behaviors and peer interactions in diverse cultures. In X. Chen, D. French, & Barry, Schneider (Eds.) Peer relationships in cultural context (pp. 23-51). New York: Cambridge University Press, Studies in Social and Emotional Development Series.

Comments

Copyright (c) 2006 Cambridge University Press. Used by permission.

Abstract

This chapter lays out five principles to guide research on peer relationships in cultural context that reflect both current and earlier bodies of research literature: (1) Cultural scripts for socialization in peer relationships are evident in early childhood. (2) Both across and within cultural communities, children’s own active role in the socialization process becomes increasingly evident as they grow older. (3) Because children are active agents in their own socialization, they can not only make choices, they can also negotiate, deflect, and resist socializing attempts by others. (4) Children’s choices and preferences (self-socialization) during middle childhood have measurable and lasting effects on their developmental outcomes during adolescence. (5) Periods of rapid social change create exceptional stresses as well as opportunities for childhood peers.