Growing up in a world that is home to multiple languages, values, and traditions, children often find themselves navigating cultural barriers that influence their development. Differences in parenting styles and changing societal expectations make this process even more challenging for children in multicultural family settings or communities. They need to balance their internal conflict with how the environment expects them to act, all while forming their own identity.
Consequently, they may feel “different” at school or stuck between two sets of expectations. For example, children who are taught to exhibit unconditional respect for authority figures may feel confused in a classroom setting where teachers encourage open debate and independent thinking. Not all children respond to these challenges in the same manner, as some can adjust at a quicker pace and develop an unparalleled sense of belonging. This discrepancy gives rise to another question: Why do some children adapt smoothly to cultural barriers while others struggle?
Three main reasons come to the forefront; namely, family support, personal traits, and community environment.
Family Support Makes the Biggest Difference
Families play a vital role in forming the foundation of a child’s values, beliefs, and early behaviors. Additionally, parental perspectives towards culture are influenced by family customs and norms. With intercultural parenting, parents who acknowledge both cultures – their own and the one their child is growing up in – help children feel proud instead of conflicted. Openly discussing these differences together may develop self-awareness for parents and a space for children to foster curiosity and understanding about their own culture.
Children tend to cope better with cultural barriers when their families promote a strong sense of security and open communication. Interaction with peers, communities, and cultures different from their own can allow children to have new notions and experiences. This process can get confusing if children are never taught about values like diversity, equality, and harmony at home. Fostering respect for their own cultural values and those of others can be done by encouraging multiculturalism through exposure to art forms and cross-racial friendships. Therefore, children adapt better when parents talk openly about differences in cultures and perspectives.
The acknowledgement of problems such as discrimination and stereotypes equips children to cope with those new situations. Alternatively, research suggests that children form cultural pride and resilience when families include them in different cultural practices and traditions. Knowledge and inclusivity help children form a strong attachment to their heritage culture and build self-esteem. This provides them with the reassurance to handle outside challenges such as teasing, misunderstandings, or peer pressure.
Modern parenting approaches can stand the test of time with the dissolution of multiple cultural traditions and practices. Children are more open to change when their families explain why cultural gaps exist, and stay flexible when incorporating values into their lives. As the cultural socialization process influences how children blend into a culturally diverse society, parents should set an example by adapting to traditions instead of abandoning them. Families that stay flexible help children feel like they belong both at home and in the wider community.
Personality and Resilience Play a Role
While families play an integral role in forming a child’s cultural identity, some children naturally cope better because of their temperament, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Children who are inquisitive in nature tend to be more open to experiences and different cultures. For this reason, their cross-cultural communication skills improve, contributing to a positive self-image. Extroverted children may find it easier to make friends across cultural lines.
Moreover, a strong sense of identity can protect children from feeling lost. When children know who they are and where they come from, they can function more capably in society. This is a joint effort between parents and their children, requiring both sides to exhibit patience and emotional capacity. As a result, children may exhibit better emotional and social functioning.
Children who develop resilience tend to handle challenges like discrimination or culture clashes more positively. Differences in emotional expression in various cultures can influence how a child reacts in challenging situations. When children are taught to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities, they tend to be compassionate and responsive. Parents can nurture resilience by encouraging independence, validating feelings, and modeling healthy coping strategies.
Schools and Communities Shape Outcomes
The environment outside the home — including schools, peers, and community attitudes — can make cultural barriers harder or easier for children to manage. This is determined by culturally-responsive schooling and support from teachers. Children thrive in inclusive environments that teach cultural diversity and celebrate differences. Collaborations with families can be valuable in designing a curriculum that integrates acceptance, growth, and empowerment.
Furthermore, facilitating group activities that reward cultural self-expression and intermingling among peers promotes empathy and a common spirit. Peer support helps kids feel like they belong, thereby honing interpersonal skills. Celebrating cultural festivals and sharing real experiences enables practical learning. Having friends who accept differences creates a positive classroom environment. As a result, children are more likely to be culturally informed when interacting with wider communities.
Children look up to their teachers and mentors from similar cultural backgrounds as role models for guidance. Aligning parental input with pedagogical practices is important in enacting values such as responsibility and respect. After observing routines that children follow, allowing them to express themselves in their own language can be beneficial. One recent case study showed how a teacher took the initiative to understand the family needs of a student from a different culture and integrate them into the school system. Providing access to necessary resources enables children to engage in continuous learning about their culture.
Conversely, if schools ignore cultural differences — or worse, allow prejudice and discrimination — children may feel isolated and ashamed. This thwarts the goal of shaping every child into a well-rounded and competent learner. When an educator has not overcome their biases and prejudices about certain cultural backgrounds, this tends to reflect in their behavior and speech, limiting a child’s growth and development. Therefore, establishing a genuine, culturally sensitive environment should be prioritized.
There is immense value in community support of multiculturalism, allowing children room to blend their identities instead of feeling like they must choose one over the other.
Conclusion
It is understood that children are primarily influenced by the cultural patterns, beliefs, and traditions that their families follow. Inclusive parenting styles and open communication also help children develop resilient personalities. Certain children’s natural emotional and social dispositions help them cope with cultural barriers more effectively than others. When schools support different cultures, children feel included. As a whole, they foster a sense of pride towards their heritage and confidence in their self-image. When they learn to bridge cultural barriers, they often grow up with unique strengths such as adaptability, empathy, and resilience that serve them for life.