This project will endeavor into an important area of study. The P.I. intends to study comparisons across generations within the Mexican and Mexican-Americans cultural groups. It has been identified that Mexican and Mexican-Americans have the highest fertility rate in the U.S. and are projected to comprise the majority of the population in certain parts of the country by the end of the century. Information regarding the early socialization practices of Mexican and Mexican-Americans would provide valuable assistance to social scientists and practitioners interested in understanding how cultural background interacts with early experiences to influence developmental outcome in children. Prior research has pointed out that one of the most important factors affecting a child's development is the quality of the mother-infant attachment relationship. Attachment has been defined as an affectional tie that one person develops with another person that transcends time and space. The goal of the attachment relationship is that of felt security in the infant. The development of a secure attachment is thought to encourage exploratory behavior, promote social competence with peers, and assist with the development of ego resiliency by school age. The proposed study intends to build upon Beckwith and Cohen's findings on attachment by comparing and contrasting the quality of the mother-infant relationship and security attachment.
