Cultural models in a multicultural context

Overview & Synopsis

This article is part of a study carried out by a group of professors from the Research Group Socioeducativa Acción (GIAS) of the Universidad Pablo de Olavide in Seville. It analyses the differences that exist between cultural models in the multicultural context of the Autonomous City of Ceuta. To do this, we take into account how culture can shape habits and expectations in the family nucleus. The study was carried out on a sample of 335 fathers and mothers of 5-year-olds from the third year of Early Childhood Education, who were asked to respond to a questionnaire on cultural models related to aspects that could represent the two cultures with the, greater presence in this area. We used variables that define components related to customs, habits, language, values, norms, expectations, and coexistence. The elaborated instrument defines the different cultural models, based on a theoretical framework that recognizes the basic dimensions on which these cultural differences are based, as well as the degree of cultural identity of families in multicultural contexts. The results of the factorial analyses show cultural differences that allow us to establish two models that present a different family structure for both cultures, a situation that can shape the education of children before starting kindergarten.