Book Review

The book “Unequal Childhood: Race, Class and Family Life” by Annette Lareau is an overview of how social class brings variation in family life and the effects it has on the lives of children in America. The author argues that despite the race of an individual, the social-economic class has a significant role to play in determining how children nurture skills that they will use in future life. In connection to this, the book explains three categories of the social class including middle, working, and the low class or the poor. Further explanation shows the two types of parenting, accomplishment by natural growth, which is a common practice among the poor and working-class, and the concerted cultivation commonly applicable to middle-class families. Social class determines the upbringing and future of a child according to Annette Lareau in the book. This review wrote Josie, a writer at the marketing plan writing service.

Purpose of Writing the Book and the Targeted Audience

Lareau’s intention of writing the book was to put across and bring into attention the lives of children that have perished in the hands of the parent’s upbringing styles as well as the effect of social class on those lives. According to her, matters of parenting and social class may not have been put into consideration, yet they have much effect on the lives of children. If attention was given and awareness created to the same extent, then the emphasis would be put into the social class and parenting styles as it concerns the lives of children. From my viewpoint, Lareau’s book on unequal childhood was targeted to the larger community to help them understand the differences in social class as well the way parenting styles determine the future of the children. With this in mind, it would be the responsibility of the community to shape the lives of their children by all cost for a better future. When a society understands the problem, then it is easier to solve it.

Strengths and Weaknesses in the Book and Improvements to be Made

Even though Annette Lareau’s book is educative, it has several strengths and weaknesses. The author’s research is limited to time and the sample size. The sample size taken is small, and she only spends two hours recording interviews and makes a conclusion of that. Secondly, the researcher is seen to have made a lot of application on the theoretical conclusions. She argues the race as a factor influencing the outcome of children yet claims the social factors to have more roles in the influence. One of the strengths is that information about each child interviewed is incredible. The book is well written but improvements such as increasing the sample size taken as well as time for the data collection would produce a more detailed and persuasive report. Additionally, more application should be made based on the practical rather than theoretical work done by the author but her arguments are sound and veritable.

Other Reviewers that Have Commented About the Book

Most of the readers and reviewers give positive feedbacks about the book agreeing that understanding social class is significant for the future of children. However, a few critics claim that the size of the sample taken is too small and time is too short, and the application of the study is theoretical rather than practical. Lareau’s work is rated good, and positive comments do apply to most of the readers and reviewers of the book.

Whom I Would Recommend to Read the Book

I would recommend the book to the general audience including parents and children because it is worth reading for everyone. It is imperative to cultivate the knowledge of the basics of children treatment and their future. When parents and teachers get to know of this research, they will try to make some efforts to bring a change in the lives and the future of the children by addressing the parenting style as well as the issues of social class.

In conclusion, Lareau’s arguments on the effects of social class and parenting style on children’s lives have a great percentage of truth in it. The interviews taken can precisely explain the contribution of these two factors to the future of the children. The sampling done gave complete information about the treatment needed. The effects and outcomes of social class and parenting are well documented to support the work; most reviews indicate Lareau’s research as true and well done. The book is educative and makes individuals understand the variations caused by social class and the way they affect the families.