Socialization of Grandchildren. Specifically it

¶ … socialization of grandchildren. Specifically it will respond to the article "Socialization of Grandchildren." Largely the family itself transmits traditional family and social values, and socialization skills alter when family is absent. This study illustrates the importance of generational passing of belief systems and culture, especially among African-American grandparents as they provide caregiving to their grandchildren. As the text notes, "[G]randparents are instrumental in the transmission of family values and beliefs."

These family values are essential to society and culture, without them, society would dissolve into chaos. Specifically, African-Americans tend to use traditional proverbs to enhance the passing on of these cultural and social values from one generation to the next, and this study examines these transmission methods.

This transmission of proverbs is based on the social exchange theory, which maintains the transmission of values is rewarding, and that the exchange is essentially an investment that implies commitment to the grandchild by guiding and sharing culture and belief systems. In addition, sharing is often based on reward or pleasure, and that induces the individual to continue to share the proverb, and hence, influence the socialization and values of the grandchild.

Many of the current proverbs in use evolved during the period of African-American enslavement, and grew out of the African cultural experience. African-American slave children had little chance for education or socialization outside the family structure, and so, parents, and grandparents, who often cared for the children while the parents worked long hours in the fields, developed proverbs as lessons, couching them in stories and legends so the children did not feel as if they were being preached to or educated. This made the experience more enjoyable and yet valuable for the children and the grandparents. Education continued with music, folktales, more proverbs, and the like. Currently, proverbs still play an integral role in the lives of African-Americans, and they are most prevalent in the homes - specifically between adults, still passing educational wisdom on to children. More importantly, perhaps, is the understanding that these proverbs, and their transmission, is linked to history, but also to the personal past of those passing them down, creating a generational bond that is difficult to break.

Studies also indicate that proverbs, when repeated, are more meaningful and significant to the hearer. The author writes, "[a] proverb that was learned by someone whose parent used it repeatedly would have greater symbolic value for that person than a proverb overheard in a conversation among strangers."

This indicates the vital significance of proverbs in African-American socialization and cultural transmission. In addition, it adds a depth of understanding to the African-American family, their values, their history, and the passing along of their culture and society. Each ethnic group has their own set of values and beliefs, combined with their own unique culture. In assimilating into American culture, many of these groups have tended to eliminate or ignore their culture and past, especially among succeeding generations. A majority of African-Americans, however, tend to feel the significance of holding on to these cultural beliefs and values, by passing them on from generation to generation. This may set African-Americans apart from many other minority groups in their attempts to maintain a culture and societal belief system before it is irrevocably lost.

These proverbs seem to transcend economic or social levels in many cases, leading back to core values and belief systems. The author continues, "[T] he family and work values that African-Americans have cherished in the past are fundamental in the socialization of African-American children today."

This indicates a strong sense of family and history, again, much more so than many other ethnic groups, and this may explain the close-knit family structure of many African-American families, and their strong sense of unity among the family. African-American families are close through many generations and branches of the family tree, often more so than other ethnic and social groups and the proverbs these families share seems to be the twine that binds them together and makes them strong.

In an American society that tends to ignore the influence of elders as they age, it is refreshing to see the important role African-American grandparents play in their family and the transmission of culture, history, and socialization skills. The text notes that grandparents are "the essence of family bonds," and in our country, for a majority of society, that is not always the case. In our mobile society, families draw farther and farther apart, and often, these rich relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren do not take shape. Many ethnic cultures maintain these bonds, creating a tight-knit fabric of family that is much more prone to passing on information, culture, and socializing their children. It seems that the groups in society who neglect these family ties are missing something essential for their continued culture and heritage, and these elements of life will continue to degenerate for generations to come. It seems too many children are missing out on the "wizard," "mentor," and "role model" groups of grandparents and one must wonder what this says about the future of American culture and heritage. Perhaps society needs to become more in touch with the past, in order to plan more wisely and appreciate the future.