Raising Yemenite Children in Israel: The Case of Large Yemenite Families in Israel

Meaning systems towards the development of a child within a family are not universal but shaped by the cultural, socio-demographic background of the family.

We know a lot about child rearing ideals in Western middle class culture. We lack knowledge about other socio-cultural contexts e.g. families with many children. This study examines attachment relationships between a one-year-old child with his parents and with his siblings in Yemenite families with five or more children in Israel. We are investigating the cultural perceptions on relational networks.

Members of five families are interviewed. Each family includes a mother and father with Yemenite migration background, at least five children, one being one-year-old.

The semi-structured interview has ten open-ended questions; on child rearing, on the relational network of a one-year-old within a large family and on being a family member with a relatedness-oriented cultural background in a more autonomy-oriented society.

Data collection and analyses are in progress. Preliminary results show that older children develop parental skills, especially regarding caregiving for younger siblings. A multiple caregiver network for the one-year-old is seen, with a clear hierarchy, ensuring that the child always has someone who responds to him promptly and adequately.

This study contributes to broadening the knowledge about child rearing among large families.