Abstract

MOINHOS, Maria Vitória de Carvalho; LORDELO, Eulina da Rocha  and  MOURA, Maria Lúcia Seidl de. Socialization goal of mothers from Bahia in different socioeconomic contexts. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.1, pp. 114-125. ISSN 0104-1282.

Beliefs and parental practices systems have become an important topic in developmental psychology, because of their possible repercussions on child care quality and, as a consequence, on child development. Since there are only a few Brazilian studies in this field, this study aimed at characterizing parental socialization goals and strategies valued in a sample of mothers from Salvador, relating them to their socioeconomic status. Fifty mothers (with at least a child from zero to three years old) were interviewed in their homes. Two research tools were used: Sociodemographic Inquire and Socialization Goals and Strategies Interview. The sociodemographic data were treated according to the Hollingshead Socioeconomic Status Scale and the socialization goals were grouped in categories: Self-maximization, Self-control, Lovingness, Decency and Proper Demeanor; in addition, eleven subcategories were identified. The results did not indicate statistic significant differences between the groups concerning to socialization goals, except for the Personal Integrity and Religious subcategory, related to the Decency category, more emphasized by low SES mothers. On action strategies, both groups reported preference for strategies based on their own resources (self-centered). In general, the results suggest very similar socialization goals between both groups. These results are interpreted as an expression of a relatively homogenous cultural environment respecting ideal values, a surprising finding, considering the large socioeconomic differences between the groups.

Keywords : Socialization goals; Parental strategies; Context.

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