Long-term socialisation goals and the construction of infants’ social networks among middle class Anglo and Puerto Rican mothers

Abstract

This study examined the relation between mothers’ long-term socialisation goals and the social networks they construct for their infants. Middle class Anglo (n = 32) and Puerto Rican (n = 28) mothers were interviewed regarding: (a) their long-term socialisation goals; (b) how often their infants’ typically have contact with friends and family members; and (c) specific family circumstances which might influence contact with relatives, including geographic distance, maternal employment status, and child care arrangements. Study results indicated that mothers’ long-term socialisation goals were correlated with the type and frequency of social contacts they structured for their infants. Moreover, limited evidence was found for the influence of group membership on frequency of contact with relatives, despite individual variations in family circumstances. Results are interpreted as illuminating one aspect of the interface between cultural beliefs and socialisation practices within the constructs of individualism/sociocentrism.

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