Beyond the Golden Rule: Results and Implications of a Qualitative Exploration of Rural Caregivers’ Experiences of Cultural Socialization

Abstract

The relationship between culture and the way individuals experience systems such as education, healthcare, religion, law, and media garnered renewed focus due to high-profile world events. Researchers have documented the impact of race, differing caregiving styles, and other cultural differences on how caregivers culturally socialize their children. This pilot study aims to explore, through phenomenology, caregivers' narratives of their experiences culturally socializing children in the North Carolina Appalachian region in the current socio-political climate. Three themes were illuminated: 1) golden rule, 2) fish meeting water, and 3) social desirability. Implications for practice for caregivers and helping professionals will be discussed.