Linear Expectations In Child Rearing Practices

Enculturation is defined as the transmission (by means of social learning) of cultural knowledge to the next generation (Peoples 25). A big part of enculturation is child rearing practices. Two categories of child rearing practices are Independence Training and Dependence Training. One can probably understand the basics of these two practices by their names alone. However, there is more than just the basics to these child rearing practices. Independence training focuses on training the child up to be independent and not have to rely on a group. A major concept that is associated with independence training is linear expectations. Linear expectations is a series of expectations of achievement. In some cases the concept of linear expectations can start at conception and carry on into adulthood. An example of linear expectations is being proud of the child when they learn to crawl and then to start speculating when they will begin walking. At times, this sense of achievement from the parents can result in a competition. Parents begin bragging

Dependence training is very community oriented. Children growing up with dependence training are not reinforced with rules. The child is expected to learn from experience. An example of this is a child climbing up a bookshelf and then falling. The child is eventually going to learn that they are just going to keep falling and getting hurt if they keep climbing up the bookshelf. Another difference from independence training is the lack of competition. Children are brought up to work as a community rather than trying to be the best. Everyone is taught to work together to contribute to the whole. Koro is most likely to occur as a result of dependence training. If a couple is having trouble having kids then the male may feel like he isn’t contributing to the good of the whole community and develops Koro because of the