In some families one parent chooses to stay at home to be the primary caregiver of the children. In this case infants learn to interact within the microsystem. Two parent career families and single parent career familes may rely on extended family/day care/other people in the exosystem and macrosystems.
Culture: is defined as a recognized set of behavioural patterns, beliefs and values that exist within a distinct group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Cultures vary in many ways:
Identity: refers to the distinct personality or set of behavioural or personal traits associated with a particular individual recognized as a member of a group.
Individualistic Cultures: are those that emphasize independence of thought and action.
Collectivist Cultures: are those that emphasize the quality and condition of the people as a whole. Secure attachments and a positive sense of self are part of the most important social achievement in infancy. Self concept and cultural identity are also related to healthy social and emotional development in infancy. Cultures vary in their definition of self and what it means to be a contributing member.
Individualistic Cultures: Some cultures, such as those in Western Europe and North America tend to promote individualism. Infants are taught to be independent, distinct and self reliant.
Collectivist Cultures: Collectivist cultures such as First Nations, Southern European, Latin American, and those in parts of Africa and Asia rely on the family and the immediate neighbourhood community. Infants are taught to be cooperative, contributing members of the group and supporters of tradition
