The Value of Family
"The goal of family and parental support, within the context of the American-Indian family of origin, is to foster interdependence. The family serves as a facilitator in the development of its members and does so according to family or cultural role, not necessarily according to age. Family and parental support encompasses cultural and spiritual maintenance, satisfaction of physical and emotional needs, and the themes of providing care, being cared for, and preparing to care for, throughout the lifespan. In this regard, the family is strengthened and lifelong interdependence among members is fostered. This approach to familial support contrasts with European-American family support in that the goal of the latter is independence of members rather than interdependence among members" (Family Life Today) . The importance of and value placed on the Native American extended family cannot be underestimated. This large network of relatives provides much support and a strong sense of security. Since traditional Native American homes were small, family members became accustomed to being in close proximity to one another. (Native American Awareness)
" The structure of American-Indian families is often misunderstood and confusing to non-American-Indian people. The expansive nature of the family structure, inclusive of extended family systems, is confusing because of the number of non-blood-related members inherent in the family. Not all members may be primarily of American-Indian descent or of the same tribal affiliation. A non blood or fictive member may be an elder who is referred to by other members as an uncle, but who in fact has no biological relationship to other members." (Family Life Today)
Child Rearing
One study conducted by the American Sociological Association in 2002 of adolescents in middle-class Native American families, found that Native American households tend to support a disciplinarian way of rearing a child.They commonly observed the strict or demanding parenting in the Native American families as compared to while middle class families. (Lombardo)
Other research said that Native Americans believe that demeaning personal criticism and harsh discipline can be damaging to children and therefore avoid these parenting tactics. Native American parents focus on non corporal means of discipline that may include frowning, ignoring, ridiculing, shaming, or scolding the individual or withholding praise. Sibling and peer pressure also play a role in child rearing in the Native American family and withdrawal is often used as a form of disapproval. Discipline is viewed more as self-explanatory than restricted along with the belief that people are not meant to be controlled, including children. (Native American Awareness)
"The goal of family and parental support, within the context of the American-Indian family of origin, is to foster interdependence. The family serves as a facilitator in the development of its members and does so according to family or cultural role, not necessarily according to age. Family and parental support encompasses cultural and spiritual maintenance, satisfaction of physical and emotional needs, and the themes of providing care, being cared for, and preparing to care for, throughout the lifespan. In this regard, the family is strengthened and lifelong interdependence among members is fostered. This approach to familial support contrasts with European-American family support in that the goal of the latter is independence of members rather than interdependence among members" (Family Life Today) . The importance of and value placed on the Native American extended family cannot be underestimated. This large network of relatives provides much support and a strong sense of security. Since traditional Native American homes were small, family members became accustomed to being in close proximity to one another. (Native American Awareness)
" The structure of American-Indian families is often misunderstood and confusing to non-American-Indian people. The expansive nature of the family structure, inclusive of extended family systems, is confusing because of the number of non-blood-related members inherent in the family. Not all members may be primarily of American-Indian descent or of the same tribal affiliation. A non blood or fictive member may be an elder who is referred to by other members as an uncle, but who in fact has no biological relationship to other members." (Family Life Today)
Child Rearing
One study conducted by the American Sociological Association in 2002 of adolescents in middle-class Native American families, found that Native American households tend to support a disciplinarian way of rearing a child.They commonly observed the strict or demanding parenting in the Native American families as compared to while middle class families. (Lombardo)
Other research said that Native Americans believe that demeaning personal criticism and harsh discipline can be damaging to children and therefore avoid these parenting tactics. Native American parents focus on non corporal means of discipline that may include frowning, ignoring, ridiculing, shaming, or scolding the individual or withholding praise. Sibling and peer pressure also play a role in child rearing in the Native American family and withdrawal is often used as a form of disapproval. Discipline is viewed more as self-explanatory than restricted along with the belief that people are not meant to be controlled, including children. (Native American Awareness)