The Role of Child-Rearing Practices in the Socialization Processes of Junior High School Students: A Socio-Cultural Perspective

The Role of Child-Rearing Practices in the Socialization Processes of Junior High School Students: A Socio-Cultural Perspective M. Hossaynnejaad H. Abdollaahzaadeh, Ph.D. From a Vygotskian perspective since children construct their value systems through interaction with others, they can become self-regulated if their culture emphasizes such a characteristic via the child-rearing practices of their parents. To test this hypothesis, a total of 171 families were selected through random sampling of junior high school students. The parents completed the Baumerind questionnaire on child-rearing practices, while the students answered questions on values and self-regulation. Based on the first set of data, the families were categorized in three categories of authoritative, authoritarian, and easy-going. Further analyses revealed that in the authoritarian category there was a significant correlation between the parenting styles of mothers and fathers, while certain values (such as conservatism and self-sacrifice) and self-regulation were also significantly higher among their children compared to other categories. Key words: socialization, values, self-regulation, child-rearing style, Vygotsky