Originally published in 1986, this book?s focal point is a field study which asks whether the social childrearing context of daycare transmits to young children values different from those within America?s dominant value tradition of individualism. Daycare critics were concerned that this social childrearing within daycare would weaken the family and promote collectivist rather than individualistic values, and thereby threaten the social continuity of America?s values. Through participant observation four daycare teachers? interactions as they emphasize children?s individual learning experiences and children?s social learning experiences are examined. By focusing on the actions and words of daycare teachers and their children in their daily activities over time, this field study provides a conceptual model for an initial understanding of the relationship of daycare to the continuity of America?s values.

Table of Contents:

New Preface for Reissue. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction 2. Social and Familial Childrearing: Day Care in Context 3. Social Childrearing within Day Care: Rosehill Day Care Center 4. Individual and Social: Analyzing the Tilt at Rosehill 5. From Situation to Structure: Relating Field Study Findings to America?s Value Tradition of Individualism 6. A Concluding Note. Appendix A: Activity Scans. Appendix B: Theoretical Orientation. Bibliography. Index.

Sociology in general, methodology, handbooks

Social issues, social work

Environmental health, occupational health

Child raising

Further readings in the field of computing

Gender studies

Psychology theory

Applied psychology

Sociology in general, methodology, handbooks (charity campaign)

Social issues, social work (charity campaign)

Environmental health, occupational health (charity campaign)

Child raising (charity campaign)

Further readings in the field of computing (charity campaign)

Gender studies (charity campaign)

Psychology theory (charity campaign)

Applied psychology (charity campaign)

The Autonomous Child

Originally published in 1986, this book?s focal point is a field study which asks whether the social childrearing context of daycare transmits to young children values different from those within America?s dominant value tradition of individualism.