Shaping Childhood: Parenting Perspectives and Practices in Changing Societies

Caregivers play a vital role in children’s development, shaping their earliest experiences and influencing who they become. This talk delves into the beliefs, attitudes, and goals of caregivers, uncovering how these perspectives shape parenting practices in different cultures. The first part explores mothers’ views on play and book-sharing, comparing approaches across cultural communities. The second part shifts focus to fathers and grandparents, exploring their important roles in child development. Through a comparison of mothers and grandmothers in urban China and a look at first-time fathers in the rapidly changing UAE, this talk reveals how societal shifts are transforming modern parenting.

Speakers

• Antje von Suchodoletz, Associate Professor of Psychology, NYU Abu Dhabi; Global Network Associate Professor of Psychology, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, NYU