Paper
Family Integration and Children?s Self-Esteem
Introduction:
The study of Family Integration and Children?s Self-Esteem that I examined was conducted by Yabiku, Axinn, and Thornton (1999). The term ?family integration? is used to describe the extent to which individual lives are characterized by a high degree of family organization. This article examines the theory of family integration and the way in which the family social organization affects individuals.
Discussion:
It is hypothesized that when both parents are integrated in the family, it benefits their children?s development of self. Using panel data, they test three mechanisms of parental family integration ? activities within the home, family social networks, and family support networks. The results show that parental family integration early in a child?s life has positive effects on the child?s self-esteem in early adulthood, as a 23-year-old young adult. These findings provide important new understanding into both the social courses affecting self-esteem, and the long-term results of the numerous dimensions of family integration.
They established three theories:
(1) To draw on the modes of social organization approach to derive a theoretical model arguing that family integration develops when family organization of activities are high;
(2) Empirical tests of this hypothesis investigate the long-term impact of family integration in early childhood on young adulthood self-esteem;
(3) The nature of family integration is multidimensional, giving both theoretical consideration and empirical attention to its multiple dimensions.
Sample:
The data came from a 23-year intergenerational, seven-wave panel study of mothers and their children. The mothers were selected using a systematic probability sample of the 1961 birth records from the Detroit Metropolitan Area. The study chose equal numbers of married white women from three counties ? Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb. All had recently given birth to a first, second, or fourth child. The 1113 mothers were originally interviewed in the winter of 1962. Then re-interviewed in the fall of 1962, again in 1963, 1966, 1977, 1980 and lastly 1985. The children born in 1961 were interviewed in 1980, at age 18, and again in 1985, at age 23. The analysis sample was 913 of the children interviewed in 1985 and their mothers. The 913 had no missing data for the necessary variables.
Method:
Researchers used the panel study method, a series of questions with a specific numbered coding of responses. The children were questioned using questions directly from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, additional questions were added specifically tailored to the study.
Findings:
Researchers found a critical link between a child?s self-esteem, and their family?s integration and that these influences effect the child?s self esteem not only through their years growing up but also into young adulthood. Family Activities could be anything from doing dishes together, playing board games, attending church, to organized sports where a parent is possibly the coach ? these all can have a beneficial effect on a child?s self-esteem. Family Social Networks supplied another important facet of family integration ? they increase family solidarity and the intergenerational interaction of the child?s extended family has a beneficial and momentous effect on a child?s self-esteem. Family Support Networks also provide beneficial effects on a child?s self-esteem; it re-affirms the family unit and blends both the giving and receiving family members together.
Concerns affecting the results of the study were first, that the benefit of family integration might be more beneficial to males than females. Males in integrated families may feel nurtured and cared for, where females may feel that their purpose is to become caregivers rather than pursuing their own individual goals. Second, that family integration may be the result of gender struggles within the family. Mothers within the household were prevented from pursuing activities of true interest in order to keep the family together and running smoothly. Third, that parents with more education have higher self-esteem ? thereby passing that increase on to their children, the other side of the coin involving parents with less education have lower self-esteem ? thereby passing the deficit on to their children. Fourth, that additional negative effects involve hyperintegration: this includes crowding ? too many people in a confined space, over involvement of extended family members in the intimate family workings, and destructive or socially pathological behavior, such as alcoholism, substance, physical and psychological abuse.
Critique:
I would have liked to see at least two more contacts with the children of this study. I feel that an observational study at age 5 or 6 and a questionnaire at 13 or 14 would have given additional depth to the data and reflected a truer effect of family integration and self-esteem on the children. As it stands, the children were not ?contacted? until after they were young adults and some feelings of self-esteem could have been influenced by incidences at school or within the job market rather than from the family unit. The additional work addressed in the article did fill in many of the gaps missing from the body of work covered by the study data.
Conclusion:
What did I get from the article? This article illustrated Family integration at it?s best can prepare a child for their role in society, as a confident self-assured adult ? possessing positive self image ? positive self esteem. Prepared to get along with people, express ideas, work in-groups and accomplish a common goal. These children normally work well with others, are leaders within their peer group and go on to raise children with positive self image themselves. It also illustrated the other side of Family Integration ? Hyperintegration ? the dysfunctional families we are all familiar with — the overcrowded, meddling, abusive, alcoholic, substance controlled individuals that can make family life miserable and destroy the self esteem of the children they control. These families become encapsulated unable to function within the norm of the general population. Their children face the same trouble dealing with peers and finding their place in the world ? because they haven?t been given the tools with which to work out their problems within their own family much less the rest of the world. In essence, it does take a village to raise a child ? but it also helps if all of the tribe members have the child?s best interest at heart.
Bibliography
Scott T Yabiku, William G. Axiinn, and Arland Thornton, 1999. ?Family Integration and
Children?s Self-Esteem? American Journal Of Sociology 105:1494-1524
Другие работы по теме:
Family Life Cycle Essay Research Paper There
Family Life Cycle Essay, Research Paper There are several ways in which the family life cycle can be analyzed in comparison to the definition of the family. They can be static, focusing on structures for instance, role relations or they can capture dynamic processes; how role relationships between husband and wife or parent and child change over time and how they are related to socio-cultural changes.
Booker T. Washington V. W.E.B. Du Bois
Essay, Research Paper Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois were both influential leaders in the fight for desegregation. Booker T. Washington led the less violent and subtle crowd. W.E.B. Du Bois directed his followers in more of a let s get something accomplished now , rather than Washington s more subdued approach.
Little Women By Louisa May Alcott 18321888
) Essay, Research Paper Louisa May Alcott’s most famous novel, Little Women is based on her own family life in Concord, Massachusetts. Like Jo, the book’s heroine, Louisa hungered to gain independence and to
A River Runs Through It
– An Essay For, Essay, Research Paper A River Runs Through IT This family is strong and close. The sense of interdependence is very great in this family. One member’s feelings affect the rest. For example, when Norman was frustratated with his father’s teachings early in the movie, Paul felt this because he wanted to go fishing with his brother, but could not because Norman had not finished his work for the day.
Capital Punishment Essay Research Paper I am
Capital Punishment Essay, Research Paper I am all for Capital Punishment. I think that if you kill someone you should be given the death penalty. I think that the death of the killer would give family and friends a bit of ease
Fifth Child Essay Research Paper The Fifth
Fifth Child Essay, Research Paper ?The Fifth Child? In ?The Fifth Child,? Lessing contrasts society?s idea of an ?ideal? family to the ?real? dysfunctional family in our everyday lives. Harriet and David?s dream was to have the ?ideal? family. They made the mistake of setting standards too high for themselves and putting a front of an ideal family, which was just a cover for the real dysfunctional one.
Life Essay Research Paper You have been
Life Essay, Research Paper You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories)
Europe Essay Research Paper EuropeFrom June 31
Europe Essay, Research Paper Europe From June 31 to July 31 1997, my family went to Europe. We went on 4 airplanes the whole trip. We went to 7 countries. Now I will tell you about my trip.
Christians Essay Research Paper I agree with
Christians Essay, Research Paper I agree with the Uncle that the Bible should be analyzed and interpret like any other book. Just because you are a Christian does not mean you can interpret it correctly. I come from a Christian family and we all have read the Bible. But I know that I have interpret parts of the Bible in a different matter then other members of my family, they have as well.
Francis Ford Coppola A Filmma Essay Research
Paper In Francis Ford Coppola: A Filmmaker s Life, Michael Schumacher aims to provide a wealth of details about all aspects of the creation of most of Coppola’s films. In detail, Schumacher works on Dementia 13 through John Grisham’s The Rainmaker, charting Coppola’s techniques with actors and crew, the integration of his family into the work, and his well-publicized battles with Hollywood executives.
African American Studies Essay Research Paper Ryan
African American Studies Essay, Research Paper Ryan Bradley3/1/00 As African Americans become equal citizens in America they need to establish their own aims and ideas as people. African Americans must do
How Does Jack Become More And More
Embroiled Essay, Research Paper Jack, influenced by his family, is becoming more and more like his family. His family is corrupted and when they lead Jack into their problems, Jack, as principled but also corruptible, is gradually led into the world of corruption. Samantha. She steals and she thinks its all right as long as her family members do it, it?s okay.
Violence In Media Essay Research Paper 1From
Violence In Media Essay, Research Paper 1.From developing the family tree of the three generations I learned a lot about them. My parents were the source of this information about the three generations. I
The Meaning Of Famly Essay Research Paper
The word ?family? can be defined in a number of ways. Some people believe that family is all of the people that are related to you genetically. Other people believe that family is all of the people that share your religion. In this essay, I will be explaining what I believe is the meaning of family.
Inclusion Essay Research Paper Since the 1980
Inclusion Essay, Research Paper Since the 1980’s, more and more schools have begun to practice the technique of inclusion and mainstreaming in their classrooms. These practices involve the integration of special education students into regular education classrooms. This is an extremely controversial idea because it relates to educational and social values, as well as our sense of individual worth (Educational Resources).
SelfDescription Essay Research Paper I come from
Self-Description Essay, Research Paper I come from a very traditional Vietnamese family, where culture is greatly stressed in the household. Growing up, I was taught to follow this culture, I followed it because it was the first thing I learned. Respect, morality, and maintaining a good reputation for the family are some of the most important practices of my culture.
Dysfunctional Family Essay Research Paper FamilyWhat is
Dysfunctional Family Essay, Research Paper Family What is a dysfunctional family? According to Webster Dictionary dysfuntional means “abnormal” (Webster’s Dictionary 66), while the word Family means “related group of people.” So if you put both definitions together you get an “abnormal related group of people.” To many people in the US think that a dysfuntional family is a bunch of deranged psychos, I should know I was one of them.
The Japanese Family System Essay Research Paper
During the pre-war period, it was an obligation to look after ones parent when they became elderly and could no longer perform the daily tasks of living. However,today’s generation lives in a post-war period, which encourages democracy, rather than the former imperialistic government. This new government encourages the new generation to make choices of their own, which in the past
Was MacDuff Right To Leave His Family
? Essay, Research Paper By leaving his family and going to England, MacDuff prioritized his country over his family. As a result of this, his family was left unprotected and MacBeth killed his wife and children. Although MacDuff had no real way of (absolutely) knowing ahead of time that MacBeth was setting out to harm him and the ones he loved, MacDuff should not have left his family in such a vulnerable position and situation.
A Thousand Acres Essay Research Paper Just
A Thousand Acres Essay, Research Paper Just set back for a moment and think about a thousand acres, that s an area of land of almost mythic proportions. Just as the changes the people had to go through in this book. In this book the author takes material possessions and other tangible entities and identifies the characters through it.
Mixed Marriages Essay Research Paper Today an
Mixed Marriages Essay, Research Paper Today, ?an increase in the number of interracial marriages in America is an encouraging sign,? experts say. But still, there will always be people who will oppose of it, and would not let it happen in their own family. Today, mixed marriages are not defined as only as marriage involving two people with different ethnic backgrounds, but also in believing in different religions.
Voting Essay Research Paper Voting
Voting Essay, Research Paper Voting Everyone in my family who is old enough to vote, registers, and takes a privilege in voting, and knowing that their voice counts. That is why everyone
Mildred Taylor
’s “Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry”: Hardships Of The Logan Family Essay, Research Paper Mildred Taylor’s “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry”: Hardships of The Logan Family
Family Essay Research Paper FAMILYI cannot imagine
Family Essay, Research Paper FAMILY I cannot imagine living my life without my family by my side. Family is very important and valuable to me and is something that should never be taken for granted. Without my family, a large part of my life and culture would be missing.
Divorce Essay Research Paper FAMILY CONFLICT is
Divorce Essay, Research Paper FAMILY CONFLICT is a struggle resulting from the opposition functioning of mutually exclusive impulses, desires, or tendencies. In other words, it is a big disagreement or situation that a family occurs.
The People We Serve Essay Research Paper
Milton Obermann Suzanne M. Swiderski English 102 Composition II April 26, 1996 The People Who Serve Those who serve others have a very kind heart. They put a lot of time and effert into helping others. It is not like they have all this time to give, they just are willing to make sacrafices to help those less fortunate.
Segregation Essay Research Paper Though 1963 was
Segregation Essay, Research Paper Though 1963 was not the year of integration, it was still a continued debate throughout the southern states. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines segregation as the separation or isolation of race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discrimitory means.
Shang Dynasty Essay Research Paper Social Classes
Shang Dynasty Essay, Research Paper Social Classes and Daily lives 1.Social Classes a. Nobles 1.The King owned everything.2.The King and the family ruled.3.The King Lead the worriers into battle.b. Commoners1.Rich men had several wives each with a family and servants.2.The head of the family was the oldest most likely the grand father orfather of the house.a.
Integration Essay Research Paper The dictionary defines
Integration Essay, Research Paper The dictionary defines integration as a way to make schools, parks, and other facilities available to people of all races on an equal basis. Before 1960, both black and white americans alone have basically lived seperately, in society itself, but kind of in their own way.
Organ Donation Essay Research Paper Transplantations save
Organ Donation Essay, Research Paper Transplantations save lives, but only if you help. All you need to do is say yes to organ and tissue donation on your donor card and/or driver’s license and discuss your decision with your family.
The Failure Of Integration Essay Research Paper
The Failure of Integration Integration is to end the segregation of and bring into equal membership in society as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Personally I believe this goal has never and probably never will be fully reached. In the United States there is segregation everywhere. It is not as public as it was in history but it still exists in people s minds.