Final answer:
Parents' interactions with their children are influenced by social class, race, ethnicity, and gender norms, leading to differences in socialization that shape gender roles, social status, and ethnic identity. Wealthier families often encourage creativity and judgment, while lower-income families emphasize obedience and conformity.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Trawick-Smith (2003), due to differences in social class, race, ethnicity, and gender norms, parents adopt different ways of interacting with their children. These variations in parental socialization can influence children's gender roles, perceived social status, and ethnic identity. For instance, lower-income families may emphasize obedience and conformity due to the nature of jobs those parents typically hold, which often involve repetitive tasks and a need to follow rules. Conversely, wealthy families are more likely to encourage judgment and creativity, reflective of the problem-solving demands in managerial or specialized professions they often occupy. This not only impacts the child's personal development but also tends to perpetuate existing social hierarchies.
Cultural expectations shape how sons and daughters are raised differently, with sons typically allowed more autonomy and fewer domestic responsibilities in many societies, whereas daughters may be socialized to be more nurturing and obedient. This differential treatment can lead to boys typically being more attuned to their father's disapproval of 'feminine' activities. This intricate web of familial socialization continuously shapes children into the roles perceived to be appropriate within their specific cultural and socioeconomic contexts.