Unequal Childhoods Analysis

In ‘Unequal Childhoods,’ author Lareau shows how the language opportunities granted to children being raised under both the Concerted Cultivation and Accomplishment of Natural Growth methods reflect how well they will succeed in an educational institution. Language opportunities can affect a child’s success starting in elementary school, and have effects that last well into adulthood. As shown via the life choices that the various children in ‘Unequal Childhoods’ make, those raised under the Concerted Cultivation method receive a greater amount of language opportunities and thus succeed in education to a greater extent than those raised under the Accomplishment of Natural Growth method.
Under the method of Concerted Cultivation, children
These children get a sense of entitlement from expecting adults to listen to them. They are more inclined to interrupt their parents, which can lead to them interrupting teachers and being the cause of class disruptions. They are confident in their own opinion and may cast aside the thoughts of others, thus appearing overbearing and bossy. They are taught that it is okay at times to debate with their parents on a rule or punishment, which can cause negative side effects for them should they attempt to debate with a teacher in school. Children do not always know best, despite what some children under the Concerted Cultivation method may think, and their self-assurance as such a young age can come across as rude or arrogant. Children who insist on a different method of schooling for themselves could potentially earn a bad reputation among teachers for being whiney or ungrateful, and they could be harmed by teacher
Children raised under the method of Accomplishment of Natural Growth may have to learn these advantages later in life, but they still learn them and often without the negative effects that the other children face. Furthermore, the language opportunities granted to the different groups are largely a class advantage as they require adults to have the time and available attention to listen to their children beyond basic