 Collaboration, Togetherness, and Mutuality; Strengths of Learning among Indigenous Children and Families of the Americas

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

This paper symposium explores collaboration, mutuality, inclusion, and togetherness as important aspects of family everyday life among Indigenous families of the Americas.

The first paper discusses how Cherokee families and children engage in skillful collaboration while working together in groups; this study uses a mixed method approach considering developmental processes holistically.

The second paper shows generational differences in inclusive collaboration by exploring longitudinal changes in family interaction in a Guatemalan Mayan community. In addition, the study examines how the Mayan family interaction patterns differ from ways of engaging among highly schooled European American families finding that interpersonal harmony among Indigenous heritage families is a resilient cultural feature.

The third paper explores the value of family togetherness or convivencia and how this family aspect has changed after 30 years in the same Mayan town that the second paper explores; this work emphasizes the importance of examining constellations of practices instead of single isolated variables to tell the story of stability and change in communities.

Inspired by the research that highlights strengths for learning among Indigenous heritage families, such as the three first papers included in this symposium, the fourth paper tells the story of how a parenting training course, “Raising Helpful Toddlers,” incorporated some common childrearing practices from Indigenous families of the Americas in a culturally diverse group showing how we can learn from different experiences and perspectives.

Collectively, these papers emphasize the importance of inclusion, group harmony, and collaboration for families and children

Sub Unit

• Solicited Content: Indigenous Children and Families

Chair

• Itzel Aceves-Azuara, California State University - Sacramento

Individual Presentations

• Fluid Collaboration in Cherokee Families and Communities - Presenting Author: Andrew Dayton, University of California - Santa Cruz; Barbara Rogoff, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Inclusive Collaboration Across Generations: 22 Mayan Families - Presenting Author: Barbara Rogoff, University of California - Santa Cruz; Itzel Aceves-Azuara, California State University - Sacramento

• Mothers’ Reflections on Generational Changes in Childhood in a Mayan Town: Globalization Challenges to Convivencia/Togetherness - Presenting Author: Itzel Aceves-Azuara, California State University - Sacramento; Barbara Rogoff, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Training Parents to Support Toddlers’ Early Helping: Lessons Learned from Indigenous-heritage Families - Presenting Author: Luc Fairchild, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Larissa G. Duncan, University of Wisconsin - Madison