M4 Written Assignment: African American Experiences

African American Experiences on Parenting Student’s Name Institution Course # and Name Professor’s Name Submission Date Parents employ a wide range of engaging childrearing approaches, such as beliefs, conduct, and attitudes, to guide and manage their children as they develop into adulthood. The nature of the parent-child engagement significantly impacts a child’s development. Experiences and views about parenting differ in diverse ways among ethnic and racial groups in the United States. Given African American culture's rich, diverse, and dynamic nature, it is important to research parenting to contribute to the limited knowledge about the subject matter. This paper will offer crucial insights into how African American families operate within the parent domain of family functioning. The central issues related to African American parenting that will be evaluated in this paper include their cultural beliefs, values, and strengths, how to apply the knowledge when working with the African American population, and how such parenting approaches are compared to my cultural background. The final portion of the paper details how my background impacts my work with African American households. Cultural Strengths, Values, and Beliefs African American parenting is deeply rooted in cultural values, beliefs, and strengths that guide the community. Parenting fosters social and cultural competence to ensure children successfully integrate into society. According to Pew Research Center (2023), 55% of African American parents consider themselves overprotective since they want the best for their children. Parenting fosters unity and personal development to ensure children grow to their full potential. The research argues that Black cultural strength ensures that parents instill a sense of value and self-worth in their children because of their racial identity (Johnson & Carter, 2020). The Black community's parenting lessons boost children's confidence since they are taught to be proud and confident of being African American. The Black community takes pride in communities and socialization, which they teach to children. Parents inculcate values such as a sense of belonging in their children at an early age to ensure positive development. The sense of affirmation gives children the confidence to handle any form of racism and discrimination (Smith et al., 2022). Cultural values guide children to become better in society. African American parents prepare their children to deal with social injustices by instilling a solid belief system. The parents promote adaptive emotional coping strategies to ensure that the children can combat discrimination. The core values and beliefs that guide parenting are deeply rooted in religion and spirituality (Diller, 2018). The value system guides parents to educate their children on the moral standards they will incorporate. Application of Information The information on the importance of values and beliefs in parenting will guide me to respect cultural values and beliefs. When dealing with African American clients, it is crucial to be culturally competent to ensure effective service de...