Can You Match These Parenting Practices To The Correct Cultures?
- by Danielle Lasher
- – on
- in Lifestyle
People throughout the world experience similar challenges and accomplishments every day. With differences in cultures comes differences in how various life issues are handled. One of the many topics that cultures differ on is how they approach birth.
Another topic that cultures differ on is parenting practices. Every culture has different expectations for the birth process and how to parent children. Children are held to different standards throughout the world. Birthing is done differently across the globe — with different focuses and methods — even when shooting for similar outcomes. It is amazing to read about how different societal norms can impact such common elements of life.
Do you think you’re an expert on birth and parenting practices from cultures around the world? Maybe your ideal approach to birthing or parenting aligns with another culture without you knowing it. Find out about what other countries, cities and continents are doing around the Earth, and discover whether you would prefer any of these practices over the ones that you are expected to engage in because of your own culture.
You may find a whole new approach to life! Some practices might come as a surprise, while others may seem as though they are second nature. Take our quiz to see if you can correctly align the cultures and their practices.
In this culture, a Howdie oversees the birth process to make sure there are no crossed limbs or knots in clothing. They also put whiskey in the baby's mouth after birth. Talk about superstitions.
This culture is very superstitious during and after childbirth. Based on old traditions that some still practice today, a Howdie would come and take over the birth process. This person would make sure that there were no crossed limbs or knots in clothing, while also unlocking each passage to the house. They would then cover every mirror in the house while making sure something with Rowan was in the room that the mother would give birth in. Once the baby was born, the Howdie would put whiskey in their mouth.
Moms in this nation spend up to three or four days at birthing facilities after having their babies.
In this culture, mom can be put out of commission for a few days. The mother will enter a birthing facility when she goes into labor. Once she is there, she will not be able to leave until one to four days after the baby is born. This culture believes that this will prevent the mother and baby from becoming ill and getting exposed to the wrong germs before the baby’s live really even begins. This is not just a recommendation, but a mandate from hospitals in this culture.
Often times, children in this culture are not allowed to choose what they would like to do outside of school, as it is determined by the parents.
Parents in this culture are incredibly strict. There is a great emphasis on education in this culture, with the expectation that the highest grade is obtained for each course. Often times, children in this culture are not allowed to choose what they would like to do outside of school, as it is determined by the parents. Mothers push the children to put forth the most effort possible, not accepting failure. These parents have faith in their child’s abilities and will push them until they succeed.
In this culture, no one can mention the baby — before or after birth — without also mentioning God, as it brings bad luck to the birth and the child’s life.
This culture focuses on the health of the mother-to-be prior, during and after pregnancy. This mother is catered to by other women within her family — often being fed foods that will help her nurse post-birth. The new mom and baby must stay with her family for forty days, where the women in the family will take care of the new mother. In this culture, no one can mention the baby — before or after birth — without also mentioning God, as it brings bad luck to the birth and the child’s life.
Children in this culture are treated as adults. They have just as much "say" in family decisions, and few demands are placed on them.
While equality between parents in this nation is common, their culture is highly child-centric. Parents are encouraged to take their children’s feelings, ideas and beliefs into account before making any decisions. As a family, they make decisions together and do not have high demands for them. Negotiation plays a huge part in this parenting and reward systems are encouraged. Children are taught to be boastful instead of humble, as this culture thrives off of praise and acknowledgement for accomplishments. Not too shabby!
In which culture do parents use threats and fear to shape their children into responsible adults?
In this culture, parenting is primarily done through threats. Children learn not to do things by learning by doing things. However, if the parent is suspicious that the child is doing something — or will do something —dangerous, they will use folk stories and threats to scare them out of it. Normally, these threats are extreme exaggerations that are classic parts of the local culture. The children learn to fear expressions and looks from adults, too. A stern brow or crossed arms say a lot to these kids.
In which country is it is proper to greet a pregnant woman by saying: “May a son be born.”
In this culture, there had been unrest due to the high number of births within the country. So many babies are born that the country was running out of land. Because land had been rationed out, the lack of land can cause family feuds. However, this country is now experiencing increased rates of infertility because of birth control. This culture is based around men. Male children are in high demand and it is proper to greet a pregnant woman by saying: “May a son be born.”
This culture believes pregnant women maintain higher body temperatures. So, they encourage these women to eat cold foods while they are expecting.
This culture has one of the highest rates of mortality for women that give birth, generally as a result of poverty. Women in this culture are considered to be in increased heat while pregnant, which leads to a diet with foods that are considered hot. They have to eat cold foods, such as dairy products and select vegetables, in order to keep their temperature in balance. Once the baby is born, they switch to being cold and they must eat hot foods to maintain balance. These mothers also are not allowed to breastfeed their children until they are six months old.
There are no gender roles in this nation's culture, and they encourage children to play outside without gloves, hats or scarves. This is so the children will become "tougher", in theory.
In this culture, parenting can be a village’s effort. When and if mom goes back to work, the child will attend a daycare paid for by the government. This is often part time since most mothers work part time. Grandparents and nannies are widely accepted as parental alternatives. Children here are raised to be equal, with girls being just as vocal as boys and with boys not having to be chivalrous. Children also do not wear gloves, hats or scarves out into the cold to help make them tough.
In this country, people are paid to reproduce and may be offered additional incentives to have children.
This country’s culture allows for anyone — with or without insurance — to have a hospital birth free of charge. They also do not have to pay for any emergency services that the baby needs. However, parents must bring all of their necessities, from diapers to clothes — with them as the hospital does not provide them. New moms are allowed to stay home with their baby for almost half a year with pay. Because this country has a decreasing population, people are paid to reproduce and may be offered additional incentives to have children. Baby-centric at its finest.
In this culture, babies don't wear diapers, but they wear pants with a cut-out in the rear to making toileting easier.
This culture is advanced in several ways. Babies here do not wear diapers, but they wear pants with a cut out in the rear. Parents will tell them to go to the bathroom and the child will do so right on the ground. Children are the center of the family, with the magic number of children being one. Adults swoon over these children and will help raise them, as will a nanny. Mothers do not get all of the pressure in this society. In return, the children are expected to succeed in school and to get good jobs.
What superstitious culture requires babies to wear something red to get rid of negative spirits?
In this culture, your baby may disappear if you turn your back while you are out in public. People in this culture swoon over babies and love to play with them. They may be taken right out of a carriage just to play. This superstitious culture requires babies to wear something red to get rid of negative spirits. It is also considered a huge parenting fail if baby girls do not immediately get their ears pierced to show that they are little girls.
This culture boasts a growing number of young parents, and they rely on their friends for parenting advice instead of elders.
In this culture, parenting is being widely studied. There are a lot of violent situations as a result of black family members being forcibly separated by their white counterparts. There are a lot of single mothers. In this culture, the parents are getting younger and are relying on advice from friends more so than the advice of older generations — despite traditions being a great part of their everyday lives. A combination of all of these factors has led to the discovery of four major parenting styles that impact the unity of future generations.
In which nation do well wishers dust the baby's eyebrows with flour as a blessing?
Talk about your not-so-average birthing practices! In this country, mothers stay home with their newborns for their first 20 days of life. During that time, visitors with well wishes can drop in on the new mother and her child. During their visit, they enjoy a ceremonial beverage called lohusa serbeti. After those first 20 days, Mom then brings the baby to the visitors' homes. There, the well wishers give the mom an egg and some candy that are wrapped in a handkerchief. They'll also dust the baby's eyebrows with flour. Where is this going down?
In this culture, part of the post-birth process includes female circumcision, a controversial practice.
In this culture, part of the post-birth process includes female circumcision, a controversial practice. This is due to religious beliefs, which play a huge part in the pregnancy and birthing processes. Some people in this culture believe that the mother gives up her life to birth a child and that there is nothing that can save her. The people that assist in births do not need to have qualifications and most births are not done in a hospital, but a village or health center.
In which nation are women forbidden from returning to work before eight weeks postpartum?
In this nation, mothers are well supported during their pregnancies and the postpartum periods in their lives. They are encouraged to divulge their pregnancies to their employers as soon as they themselves know they are expecting. After this point, employers are not allowed to fire their employees. In fact, when times are hard economically, pregnant women are saviors to their families because of this safeguard of employment. These women leave work around six weeks before their due dates and are not allowed to return to work any sooner than eight weeks after the birth. Which country is being so supportive?
In this culture, kids are given way more room to run and play without adult supervision. That said, the first day of school is a big deal and is celebrated as much as a wedding would be.
In this culture, parenting is considered free range. Children are allowed to play as they want without restrictions and certain safety measures that come with the territory of growing up in other nations. They spend a lot of time outside. These kids can walk wherever they want without the fear of being kidnapped. Parents do not push their children to read, as education is much more lax. However, school is a monumental occasion, with the first day of school being celebrated as much as a wedding for anyone entering school.
This culture knows how to take care of its mommies. Relying heavily on superstition to predict the gender of babies, the sole focus is really on Mom. She is fed in bed as soon as the baby is birthed.
For women and couples in this culture, it is seen as something negative if there are no children in the family. Boys are the ideal in this culture. There, they use a variety of superstitions to determine the gender of the baby without an ultrasound. Today, most families aim for a female gynecologist or midwife to deliver the baby. Once the baby is born, the mother is instantly fed while in the bed. It's very important for people in this culture to protect and take care of their mothers.
In this nation, parenting cultures are a little wild. They don't allow women to sit on a cold porch stoop, because it brings bad luck. But they do put their newborns outside in the cold to get fresh air.
Parenting practices in this culture start their basis on the temperature outside. They are very superstitious. They forbid women from using cold products while it is cold, as it will bring bad luck — this particularly applies to cold drinks and stoops. However, they do allow their babies to be bundled up and put on a porch in frigid temperatures to give them fresh air. Parents do not raise children alone in this culture, as everyone in the community chips in to help — sometimes a little too much.
In this country, more babies are born via C-section than vaginally, because doctors scare women into opting for surgery out of fear for the pain of a natural birth.
In this culture, C-sections are becoming popular by choice. More babies are being born via Cesarean than through regular delivery. This is due to the amount of folklore passed on by previous generations about the pain of delivering a baby. Doctors are only on call for their patients, which could make it impossible for them to make a delivery unless it was planned. These doctors advise patients that C-section births are safer than other delivery options, often convincing the mom-to-be to choose this option.
In what country do women get to tell their bosses when they will take maternity leave on their own terms?
This culture is very inclusive for pregnant women. Women get benefits just for being pregnant and can leave work early without their pay getting docked. They get to decide when they tell an employer and when they expect maternity leave. A child born in this country does not get automatic citizenship unless certain criteria is met. Babies are typically born in a hospital—funded by the country—and a name needs to be decided on within four days. Geez. Sounds brutal, eh?
This culture believes in preparing children to be adults from a very early age. Anything but is a sign of poor parenting.
This culture raises babies to be little adults. Children are the most mature and advanced in this area. For these families, there is no division between children’s and adult’s food, just food. This causes less fussiness with meals. Children do not throw many tantrums as a whole, since patience is taught early — with regard to everything from sleeping to decisions. They believe in preparing children to be adults here from a very early age. Anything but is a sign of poor parenting.
In this culture, the baby is named by their paternal grandfather.
This culture creates a direct correlation between mother and baby from the beginning of the pregnancy. The baby absorbs the mother’s senses, which means the mother has to be careful about everything she eats and drinks. The birthing process is supposed to be a silent event in which the mother bites on a cloth while being held up by ropes. Only women can be in the room during the birth and the father-in-law of the mother will name the baby.
What culture promotes the snipping of infant eyelashes and shaving of their heads in the name of beauty?
In this culture, parents do not tend to have children until their late-thirties, as it takes a while to get through schooling and to get a good job. Parents' focus on the appearance of their babies and tend to be vain. They cut their eyelashes and shave their heads to make hair grow thicker. They spray their babies with perfume, and they are sure to have female babies’ ears pierced so they will not be mistaken for boys. Oh my.
In which culture is the care of pregnant women entrusted to their mothers and mothers-in-law instead of doctors?
In this culture, mothers-to-be often do not trust the judgment or decisions made by medical professionals. They are afraid that their baby will not be safe, which leads to a high mortality rate for mother and baby. When a woman is pregnant, her mother takes over all of the birth related decisions. While the mother-to-be is expected to remain active, she is pampered in the last month of pregnancy, and is constantly surrounded by women. As soon as labor starts, everyone but the mother leaves and she then delivers the baby.
In which culture do moms incorporate whistles into potty-training from the day of birth?
This culture does something incredibly unique to train their children. Mothers put whistles on them the day that the baby is born. They will whistle each time the baby urinates. As the baby gets to be a few months old, the mother will hold them over a toilet. When the mother blows the whistle, the infant will urinate into the toilet. The mother continues to do this training until the infant is potty trained, which generally happens before their first birthday.
Where do school children get graded on personal hygiene?
Parenting in this culture is contributed to by everyone. Children are supposed to be very neat, as per school standards. Schools will send home grades on personal hygiene. Parents are expected to teach their children to greet other adults with a kiss on the cheek as a sign of respect. Parents and children learn from those that came before them and celebrate this culture’s rich history, which is traditionally expressed through art. Everyone learns from everyone else, and that's the way it always has been.
In this country, birth is viewed as a very medicalized event; babies are whisked away by doctors as soon as they are born.
This culture boasts low mortality rates for mothers and babies, but the complaints about their maternity health care system are constant. In this culture, childbirth is just another medical procedure — like a surgery or casting of a broken limb. As soon as the baby is born, a pediatrician takes them away to examine them. The mothers that get the most personal care are the ones that need help due to illness. People in this culture want to make the process a little more human.
In this culture, it's illegal in some places for a child to walk to school unsupervised, because the fear of kidnapping is so high.
In this culture, children are being overly patrolled by parents and schools. Kids have to be supervised when playing outside due to the fear that they will be kidnapped. It is illegal for a child to walk to school without a parent. When it comes to having friends, they are not allowed to hug or high five one another in school, as that could be interpreted as an unwanted touch or a violation of privacy. Emotions and bodily autonomy are a little touchy in this culture.
Which nation's culture boasts midwives for every mother and 25% C-section rate among the 99% of births that occur in their hospitals?
Within this culture, about 99% of births occur in a hospital. These hospitals have remarkably positive statistics backing them. In a time when Cesarean sections are considered dangerous, they only happen in 25% of births here. While this is still higher than it should be, it's nowhere near the climbing rates in the U.S. These hospitals avoid C-sections at all costs possible. Babies and mothers in these facilities get their own midwife to help them through the process — from birth to feedings. For the mothers that give birth at home, they can transfer to a hospital if needed.
Women have to tell their employers of their pregnancy and will get paid their salary if they stay at work, but will get paid for “illness” if they go out early on maternity.
This culture is great for both prenatal care and for pregnancy. Mothers-to-be get tested for multiple different illnesses that could impact them or the baby. From there, they get monitored on a regular basis to ensure that both mom and baby stay healthy through the process. Women have to tell their employers of their pregnancy and will get paid their salary if they stay at work, but will get paid for “illness” if they go out early on maternity leave.
Which culture risks the lives of their children and mothers by birthing with matrons?
In this culture, birthing can be incredibly dangerous. Many women and their families opt for home births because it is so much cheaper. These births are performed by matrons, which are like midwives without the education to deal with issues during the birth. It can take matrons too long to determine if a hospital visit is needed, sometimes killing both mom and baby. Educators are currently working to help families prepare financially for expenses they may incur with safer births.
Which culture punishes their children with physical beatings as a part of religious preferences?
This culture is far from politically correct. Parents are known for being violent and using physical methods to punish children for their wrong doings. This can range from spanking to harsh beatings. Not only do parents partake in this, but also schools. This culture believes that their religion allows them to perform these beatings, although some people in this culture will say that these parents misunderstood their religion’s values and should not be beating their children. Physical punishments seemed to reduce during an intense time of war and distress.
In what nation has poverty led to mothers laboring alone without medical care?
While not a pretty picture, this is still a cultural practice. In this country, mothers are left alone during labor. No, this isn't some new, unassisted birthing trend. Most of the time, their partner isn't even present. Sometimes, these women have miscarriages and stillbirths because of the conditions they are left to labor in without any medical supervision. In general, the lack of medical care is due to extreme poverty in the region. Mothers have no option but to labor without pain relief and hope for the best. Where is this happening?
In what country do parents bless their baby by putting their wedding cake on the baby's head?
In this nation, parents have found a plethora of ways to celebrate their new little bundles of joy. Everything is very ceremonial, yet laid back. Moms and dads are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome their babies into the world alongside loved ones that care about them so much. They also rely on tradition a great deal and want to make sure their littles are starting off on the best foot possible. What better way to do such than throw a party? At this party, parents pull out their frozen wedding cake and put it on the baby's head!
In what nation do women refuse painkillers during birth as a way of preparing themselves for the challenge of parenting that lies ahead?
There are all kinds of societal norms that affect the birthing culture and have shaped it into what it has become today. It varies greatly from one region of the world to the next. While the United States is known for having women sign up for that epidural before they ever even have their first contraction, a lot of other nations are far more hesitant to skip out on the experience of childbirth. In this nation, women opt out of painkillers altogether out of the belief that the pain of birth is a testament to the challenge of parenthood.
In Bali, a baby's feet are kept from touching the ground for the first 105 days of life. Why though?
In Bali, a baby's feet are kept from touching the ground for the first 105 days of life. While this sounds like an awfully exhausting undertaking for the new parents, it's a way of life in Bali. Parents from the nation are accustomed to it. Their parents did it with them, and their grandparents before that. It is expected. It is customary. It would be out of the norm not to do it. Why do the Balinese think this tradition is important?
In this country, people may scold you if your child isn't dressed appropriately for the weather. In fact, it's considered improper if they don't say something! Where is it?
In this culture, parenting is a central focus. Traditions are major—especially ones related to Christian holidays. This culture has Santa and Krampus, depending on how good the children are. Everyone helps one another. Neighbors, strangers, and family are expected to watch after all the children in the community. Children may be scolded—as can the parents—by others if the children are doing something potentially dangerous or if they are not dressed warm enough for the weather. It is frowned upon if you do not say or do something when a child may be in danger.
In this culture, home births require a thorough cleansing of the room after birth because birth is viewed as being dirty.
In this culture, women have not been highly valued. Births were meant to get the babies out, but not necessarily for the mothers to survive. Recently, births started getting safer and these mothers received a little more education and rights. While most mothers give birth in their homes, clinics are now available for births that are more pleasant. If a woman does give birth in the home, it is done in a room that is not cared for and the room must be completely cleansed after birth, as women bleeding is seen as dirty.
In this nation, childcare is an important part of their culture. The government subsidizes the cost of preschools for working and non-working parents.
For this culture, preschool can vary based on the employment status of the mother. The hours for each preschool will differ, with the working moms’ preschool opening for eleven hours during the day and functioning more as a daycare for smaller youths. The preschool for children of non-working moms has shorter hours and focuses on education more than the other does. The government helps to pay for these preschools, including healthy lunches. They manage to keep fees under $200 per month.