Adolescent Socialization in Cross-Cultural Perspective: Planning for Social Change presents a theory of socialization and explains how the theory was formed, developed, and changed. This book describes a cross-sectional research project that uses innovative research methods for comparing people from vastly different cultures.

Organized into seven chapters, this book begins with an overview of the premise that the better one learns how to solve problems in one's environment, the better one is able to cope with a rapidly changing society as one grows older. This text then proposes that the family provide an initial arena within which the needs of the individual and the rudiments of the social structure are confronted. Other chapters consider the approach to solving the methodological problems posed by attempting to test the theory by means of a cross-national study. The final chapter deals with the results of the cross-national study.

This book is a valuable resource for sociologists.

Contenu

Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Socialization in a World of Change
The Dilemma of Preparing for an Unknown Future
From Social Dilemma to Researchable Question
Basic Themes
Developing a Methodology
Basic Issues and Research Questions
2 Socialization, Problem Solving, and Social Structure
Socialization
Problem Solving: Processes and Outcomes
Social Structure
Conclusions
3 Socialization for Social Change: A Theory of Processes and Outcomes
The Scope of the Theory
The Basic Model
Parents, Their Child, and the Problem-Solving Process
Social Structure, Family Internal Structure, and Problem Solving
The Complete Model
The Social Context of Socialization for Social Change
Summary
4 Seeking the Answers
Introduction
The Research Sites
Planning for Cross-National Research
Instrument Development
Research Design
Summary
5 The Findings: Testing the Theory
The Community and the Family
Community Context and Parent-Child Socialization
Community Context and Children's Performance
Adolescent Problem Solving
Testing Alternative Explanations
Conclusions
6 Sex Differences
Sex Differences by Society and Class
Similarities in the Two Societies
Sex Differences and Socialization for Problem Solving
Conclusions
7 From Iron Cage to the Age of Narcissism
Evaluating the Theory
Revising the Theory
Coping Strategies in Mexico and in the United States
The Utility of SIMCAR
Socialization and Social Change in Mexico and in the United States
Appendix 1: Pre-Experimental Interview Schedule
Appendix 2: Job Requirements
Appendix 3: Family Unplanned Event Cards
Appendix 4: Child's Unplanned Event Cards
Appendix 5: Game Instructions and Rules: Mexican Version
Appendix 6: Game Instructions and Rules: United States Version
Appendix 7: Observations of Power and Support
Appendix 8: Score Board
Appendix 9: Post-Experimental Interview
References
Author Index
Subject Index