Russian and American Systems of Socialization

Paper Summary:

By examining the book by Robert Kaiser called "The People and the Power", this paper explains that Russian and American methods of raising children and socializing individuals into Russian and American society have created different, observable developmental patterns for individuals reared in these societies. It looks briefly at some of these differences in attitudes.

From the Paper:

"In his observations of the then-Soviet Union, the reporter Robert Kaiser noted in the 1970's that "the theme of Russian parenthood" is "don't let go." Although in "public" a Russian child's behavior was sternly regulated, Russian parents and grandparents indulged their children, as best they could, in material terms. (29) Children were not expected to perform many household chores. Rather, they were to focus on their studies, with the hopes of getting into a top university. In exchange for this freedom from onerous household tasks, however, children were also supposed to recompense their parents with hard work and obedience. Kaiser was struck how even older children constantly informed their parents of their various doings, sometimes well past mature adolescence, a phenomenon perhaps underscored by the fact that poverty and housing shortages forced individuals to live with their parents for a long time. The rigidity of behavior in the school system, generally de-emphasizing creativity and emphasizing rote learning, only reinforced the idea that there was a correct mode of public behavior and an incorrect mode of public behavior that should not be transgressed. (31) When taught to draw, even tiny children were taught by the teacher putting a model of a picture, and forced to copy it."

More papers on Russian and American Systems of Socialization:

• Term Paper # 4154 : "Russian and European Trade Unions"
• Comparison Essay # 114866 : "The American System of Justice: The Only Way?"
• Essay # 23338 : "The American System of Government"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: