4.8 Going Deeper
Elizabeth B. Pearce and Genna Stern
Now that you’ve read more deeply about caregiving and kinship relationships, this page has some resources for you.
First, there are some resources that the authors used but could not fit into the chapter. If there was something that really piqued your interest and made you want to learn more, it may be listed in this table. This is also a resource for students who may have an assignment to research a particular topic or who need to identify a topic for a final project. Scan through “Want to Learn More?” if you are interested.
Next, you will see a set of reflective questions. You may be assigned these questions as a chapter review, or perhaps you will be using them as discussion questions in class. These questions are designed to help you apply the chapter concepts, develop your sociological imagination, reflect, and use an equity lens. Look over the “Reflective Questions” if you’d like to explore your own thinking more thoroughly.
After that, you will see the same list of key terms that appeared at the start of the chapter. They may help you with your additional exploration or research.
Finally, some chapters include activities that the instructor may use in the classroom.
Want to Learn More?
- Read the Pew Research: Parenting in America summary for nuanced distinctions regarding family formation, where children are living, and current parenting concerns.
- Watch this seven-minute video titled “Raising Children for a Second Time, ‘Grandfamilies’ Struggle during the Pandemic” to learn more about grandfamilies.
- An idea related to nature and nurture that has recently gained attention is “orchid children and dandelion children.” Dr. Thomas Boyce has theorized that most children are “dandelions”: resilient and hardy, able to withstand some difficulties and continue to thrive. In contrast, some children are “orchids”: more delicate and sensitive. These children may also develop well as long as their sensitive nature is acknowledged and a stable, responsive environment is provided. This kind of framing may help parents and caregivers see the importance of environmental and parenting choices. To read or listen to more about this emerging theory, click here for an article and recording by National Public Radio.
- This clip from a Crash Course video looks at both Harry Harlow’s and Mary Ainsworth’s work and gives a quick summary of Diana Baumrind’s parenting styles. Review this if you would like more information about this research and theory.
- There are many resources aimed at educating parents and caregivers on how to build secure attachments, such as the Child Welfare Information Gateway, which compiles information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Administration for Children and Families, and the Children’s Bureau.
- For statistics about adoption and foster care, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Adoption and Foster Care Statistics website.
- To learn