"Native and mainstream parenting: A comparative study"

Abstract

It has long been known that Native parenting practices are different than those of mainstream parents. A review of the literature on parenting practices shows that substantial differences existed particularly in looking at Native parenting practices before contact (van de Sande, 1995). Traditional Native parents taught by example and use teasing and ignoring to discipline children as opposed to hitting or scolding (Trigger, 1985). Traditional European parents viewed children as the property of the father and the sole responsibility of the parents (Martens, 1988) while Native parents believed that children were gifts from the Creator (The Northwest Indian Child Welfare Institute, 1986). Raising children was a community responsibility as opposed to the individual families responsibility (The Northwest Indian Child Welfare Institute, 1986).