THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE IN RELATION TO CULTURAL EXPECTATIONS FOR CHILDREN


Independence refers to the extent to which individuals are seen as separate, autonomous beings who can direct their own lives with minimal reliance on others. Independence is emphasized in individualistic cultures like those in Western Europe and North America.

  • Children are encouraged from a young age to be self-reliant, assert their needs/wants, explore freely, and develop a sense of self apart from the family.
  • Independence is seen as preparing children to be self-directed adults who can thrive on their own.
  • Parents promote independence by giving children choices, fostering creativity, allowing freedom to follow interests, praising accomplishments, and permitting exploration within limits.

In contrast, interdependence refers to the degree to which people are considered inherently connected to family and society. Interdependence is stressed in collectivist cultures across much of Asia, Africa, and South America.

  • Children are taught to focus on shared interests/objectives, work cooperatively, and fulfill communal responsibilities. Group harmony is prioritized over individual needs.
  • Obedience, Duty, sacrifice for the greater good are emphasized over self-expression or autonomy. Elders and authority figures are respected.
  • Parents promote interdependence by assigning household chores, supervising play closely, discouraging conflict, teaching adherence to group norms, and praising actions that help the family.

Of course, independence vs. interdependence represent two ends of a spectrum. No culture exists exclusively at either extreme. But these concepts help explain cross-cultural developmental emphases.

Educators must recognize that expectations for behavior, play, communication, and more stem largely from cultural values around independence and interdependence. Observing this distinction is key to bridging home and school.



BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND INTERDEPENDENCE IN THE CLASSROOM

  • Recognize that every child's culture falls somewhere on the spectrum between independence and interdependence. Avoid treating cultural values as binary opposites.
  • Get to know each child's family and background. Ask parents about their expectations and adapt teaching methods accordingly. Don't make assumptions.
  • Foster both independent and collaborative skills. For example, letting children work independently at stations requires sharing and turn-taking.
  • Use group projects to teach teamwork but also allow independent choice/expression within groups.
  • Explain classroom rules and procedures clearly so all children understand expectations around independence, cooperation, communication styles, etc.
  • Be flexible about forcing behaviors that conflict with cultural norms, like insisting on direct eye contact. Focus on language development and relationship building first.
  • Use culturally responsive praise and reinforcement suited to the child's background, not the teachers.
  • Provide opportunities for independent, creative play while also facilitating activities that require working together towards a common goal.
  • Arrange a buddy system to pair children from different cultural backgrounds for learning.
  • Teach and reinforce empathy, perspective-taking, and conflict resolution skills.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with families to align standards at home and school.
  • Act as a bridge yourself by adapting your teaching style to the cultural and developmental needs of each individual child.

The key is acknowledging all cultural values, communicating across differences, and finding a developmentally appropriate middle ground.

 

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