Cultural Construction of Infant Motor Development in a Minority Group: The Case of First Time Druze Mothers in Israel
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| Title: | Cultural Construction of Infant Motor Development in a Minority Group: The Case of First Time Druze Mothers in Israel |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Osnat Atun-Einy, Maram Ibrahem, Ora Oudgenoeg-Paz (ORCID |
| Source: | Infant and Child Development. 2025 34(6). |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 18 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Infants, Motor Development, Mothers, Foreign Countries, Arabs, Minority Groups, Jews, Cultural Influences, Child Development |
| Geographic Terms: | Israel |
| DOI: | 10.1002/icd.70065 |
| ISSN: | 1522-7227 1522-7219 |
| Abstract: | Parental beliefs and practices regarding motor development vary across cultures. However, there is a gap in cross-cultural studies focusing on minority groups. This mixed-methods study explores the cultural construction of infant motor development within the Druze-Israeli (Druze-IL) minority group. Using questionnaires, we measured beliefs, practices, physical settings, and infant motor skills among 83 Druze-IL mothers comparing them with a matched group of 83 Jewish-IL mothers, representing Israel's majority group. Moreover, qualitative insights were gleaned from semi-structured interviews with eight Druze-IL mothers. Results indicated that Druze-IL mothers prioritised stimulating motor development and valued expert guidance, while also perceiving it as a natural process. For example, they were less supportive of the prone position and preferred the upright position compared to Jewish-IL mothers. This preference was congruent with Druze infants' superior skills in upright postures compared to Jewish-IL infants. Interviews highlighted that Druze mothers balance traditional customs with expert advice, stressing the importance of attuning to their infants' needs to determine the suitability of various practices. The findings enrich our understanding of the socio-cultural construction of motor development and illustrate how Druze mothers negotiate influences from both minority and majority cultures in shaping their beliefs, practices, and ultimately, their infants' motor skills. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1492281 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Parental beliefs and practices regarding motor development vary across cultures. However, there is a gap in cross-cultural studies focusing on minority groups. This mixed-methods study explores the cultural construction of infant motor development within the Druze-Israeli (Druze-IL) minority group. Using questionnaires, we measured beliefs, practices, physical settings, and infant motor skills among 83 Druze-IL mothers comparing them with a matched group of 83 Jewish-IL mothers, representing Israel's majority group. Moreover, qualitative insights were gleaned from semi-structured interviews with eight Druze-IL mothers. Results indicated that Druze-IL mothers prioritised stimulating motor development and valued expert guidance, while also perceiving it as a natural process. For example, they were less supportive of the prone position and preferred the upright position compared to Jewish-IL mothers. This preference was congruent with Druze infants' superior skills in upright postures compared to Jewish-IL infants. Interviews highlighted that Druze mothers balance traditional customs with expert advice, stressing the importance of attuning to their infants' needs to determine the suitability of various practices. The findings enrich our understanding of the socio-cultural construction of motor development and illustrate how Druze mothers negotiate influences from both minority and majority cultures in shaping their beliefs, practices, and ultimately, their infants' motor skills. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1522-7227 1522-7219 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/icd.70065 |
