Human Development
Upbringing
Description:
As Wordsworth said, "The child is father to the man" and, although upbringing may continue in adulthood, it is true to say that the upbringing one receives as a child will shape one's life. This is a combined influence received from family, peers, school, community and society (the media and day-to-day contact). In this way social and spiritual values are preserved and developed and similarities and differences made permanent. Basic to all societies are rituals and games (sometimes differing for boys and girls) and the passing-on of experience and behaviour patterns from the older to the younger generation. In addition, work skills, religion, class distinction and formal education all have a part to play. Present-day state education systems, and national and global media, have increased the significance of the whole of society and commensurately diminished the influence of individuals on a person's upbringing, with a resultant tendency to stereotyping.