Eastern European Families
Many families in Eastern Europe are traditional, nuclear families. Traditionally, men would go off to work, and women would take care of the house and kids. Many women also worked, but were still seen as responsible for housework, childcare, and cooking.
However, since the 1990s, this has changed drastically; especially for those who have immigrated to the United States. There are many two-parent working families and single-parent homes.
Many fathers used to not be very involved in the lives of their children growing up; the father's role was the provider. However, this has changed since the 1990s as well, and fathers are becoming more involved in family life at home.
It is common practice in Eastern Europe for children to live with their parents until they are married. Even after, many young couples move in with their parents, and stay in one house while raising children. It is uncommon for children to move out once they've become an adult. Many children are raised by their parents, grandparents, and other members of the family, all under one roof. This practice shows the importance of family in Eastern European culture.
Family was especially important in Post-Soviet countries and former Yugoslavian countries; many families relied heavily on one another for support and stability during political unrest.
Traditions remain an important part of every day life. While many Eastern European immigrants have adopted the "American culture," they still celebrate traditional holidays, eat traditional foods, and keep the values of their native countries close to heart.
Many families in Eastern Europe are traditional, nuclear families. Traditionally, men would go off to work, and women would take care of the house and kids. Many women also worked, but were still seen as responsible for housework, childcare, and cooking.
However, since the 1990s, this has changed drastically; especially for those who have immigrated to the United States. There are many two-parent working families and single-parent homes.
Many fathers used to not be very involved in the lives of their children growing up; the father's role was the provider. However, this has changed since the 1990s as well, and fathers are becoming more involved in family life at home.
It is common practice in Eastern Europe for children to live with their parents until they are married. Even after, many young couples move in with their parents, and stay in one house while raising children. It is uncommon for children to move out once they've become an adult. Many children are raised by their parents, grandparents, and other members of the family, all under one roof. This practice shows the importance of family in Eastern European culture.
Family was especially important in Post-Soviet countries and former Yugoslavian countries; many families relied heavily on one another for support and stability during political unrest.
Traditions remain an important part of every day life. While many Eastern European immigrants have adopted the "American culture," they still celebrate traditional holidays, eat traditional foods, and keep the values of their native countries close to heart.
Education
Education is highly valued in Eastern European countries. Families view education as prestigious, as higher education opportunities are extremely competitive. All children growing up are expected to receive primary and secondary education, and this education is free and provided by the state.
Though the mother is widely viewed as being responsible for teaching family values, most families send their children off to school. Post-Soviet countries still maintain the view that society will teach children necessary skills and values (a belief of the Soviet Union). Many parents send children off to school, believing in the teacher's abilities and that ultimately, teachers are responsible for educating children.
Eastern European parents, overall, are not very involved in the actual school system. There are no PTAs, or parents don't typically volunteer at school. Parents have high respect and put their trust in teachers and school systems to provide quality education for their children. Parents send their children off to school with complete confidence in the teacher's expertise.
In Russia and other post-soviet countries, public school is provided by the state (less than 2% of the population attends private school, homeschool, or alternative schools). In countries like Bosnia, preschool and Kindergarten are not mandatory, nor provided by the state; only Primary and Secondary school are provided for free and are mandatory. During the Soviet Union, schools promoted the State and being unified under Soviet rule. After the collapse of Soviet Union, and the former Yugoslavia, the smaller countries promote nationalism in the schools.
Education is highly valued in Eastern European countries. Families view education as prestigious, as higher education opportunities are extremely competitive. All children growing up are expected to receive primary and secondary education, and this education is free and provided by the state.
Though the mother is widely viewed as being responsible for teaching family values, most families send their children off to school. Post-Soviet countries still maintain the view that society will teach children necessary skills and values (a belief of the Soviet Union). Many parents send children off to school, believing in the teacher's abilities and that ultimately, teachers are responsible for educating children.
Eastern European parents, overall, are not very involved in the actual school system. There are no PTAs, or parents don't typically volunteer at school. Parents have high respect and put their trust in teachers and school systems to provide quality education for their children. Parents send their children off to school with complete confidence in the teacher's expertise.
In Russia and other post-soviet countries, public school is provided by the state (less than 2% of the population attends private school, homeschool, or alternative schools). In countries like Bosnia, preschool and Kindergarten are not mandatory, nor provided by the state; only Primary and Secondary school are provided for free and are mandatory. During the Soviet Union, schools promoted the State and being unified under Soviet rule. After the collapse of Soviet Union, and the former Yugoslavia, the smaller countries promote nationalism in the schools.
An Elementary Classroom in the Soviet Union, 1988.
Each classroom had a large portrait of Vladimir Lenin on the wall, schools were to promote Soviet Union values.
Each classroom had a large portrait of Vladimir Lenin on the wall, schools were to promote Soviet Union values.
Sources: http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Poland.html
http://qcpages.qc.edu/~mrobila/PAP/EEbook_ch1.pdf
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/customs-traditions-raising-children-russia-18562.html
http://www.iowaparents.org/files/bosnia.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Croatia
http://qcpages.qc.edu/~mrobila/PAP/EEbook_ch1.pdf
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/customs-traditions-raising-children-russia-18562.html
http://www.iowaparents.org/files/bosnia.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Croatia