The study written by Judi Mesman “Is the Ideal Mother a Sensitive Mother? Beliefs about Early Childhood Parenting in Mothers Across the Globe” explores cultural perspectives on maternal sensitivity and parenting ideals. Here are its key findings:
- Maternal Sensitivity Across Cultures:
- Sensitivity in mothers, defined as recognizing and appropriately responding to children’s needs, was widely regarded as an ideal trait. However, cultural variations were noted in how sensitivity is expressed and prioritized.
- In individualistic cultures, sensitivity was linked to promoting independence and self-reliance. In collectivistic cultures, sensitivity was associated with fostering obedience and social harmony.
