British and American concepts of family

Acculturation is the process by which a new generation of children learns the habits and concepts of their family culture from birth. How people treat newborns, for example, can be expressed in terms of cultural values. In the United States it is unusual for parents to put their newborn in a separate room just for the child. This helps maintain the parents' privacy and allows the children to use their own room, which is seen as the first step in developing independence. Americans have traditionally had independence and the values associated with it, individualism and high esteem. Parents try to drip-feed these dominant values to their children. American English explains these values as "becoming independent" and encourages them not to be "overly dependent on their mother". In their socialization, children learn to "think for themselves first" and "be self-reliant".

(2) Many children learn to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions at an early age. Often children take the first step toward establishing autonomy by working outside the home to earn money. 9- or 10-year-olds can pass newspapers to their neighbors and save or spend their earnings. 13- to 18-year-olds earn a small amount of money by babysitting babies in their neighbors' homes. Receiving a week's allowance at a young age can teach children how to plan their money and prepare them for future financial independence. Many parents believe that organizing money helps children learn responsibility and appreciate the value of money.