Recognizing
Cultural Influences
on Child Development
Culture influences development from the moment we’re born, making an impact on us as we grow.
Children can receive these cultural influences in different ways, such as through their parents, their environment, and the media.
These can impact a child’s development in many ways, such as how confident in themselves or how comfortable interacting with others they become as adults.
Environmental Influences on Child Development
Environmental influences on child development can include influences from community and culture as well as from environmental health hazards. In fact, children take in more air, water, and food per pound of body weight, making them more vulnerable to health issues from environmental hazards. The health issues might not show up until later in life, causing difficulty in school, work, and socialization. A child exposed to polluted air, for example, might develop asthma as a teenager.
Parental Influences on Child Development
Parents’ culture can influence their children’s development. A 2019 study, for example, found that cultural values often influence the way parents raise their children, including how they discipline and set boundaries. It makes sense that parents raise their children based on cultural influences because they’re preparing them to develop behaviors necessary to operate and thrive in that culture. However, when the social environment and home culture clash, developmental issues can arise.
Media Influences on Child Development
Media influences on childhood development include movies, TV shows, video games, and other online content. Research that the American Psychological Association (APA) has shared shows that children’s exposure to violent media can result in aggressive behavior; exposure to advertising for nonnutritious foods can increase rates of childhood obesity; and too much screen time can be linked to lower brain development in preschoolers.