Cultural differences when raising children
8-minute read
Key facts
- Australia is a place that values diverse cultures.
- Your cultural background affects how you raise your children.
- You may have different views to people around you who come from a different cultural background.
- Find common ground with your partner to show your child both cultures.
- Teach your child about cultural differences outside of the home to help them respect others and themselves.
Living in a multicultural society
Australia is a multicultural society that values diversity and inclusion. People from many cultural backgrounds and belief systems live here. Diverse cultures add a range of ideas, qualities and insights to community life. Celebrating diversity helps to hold people together.
You can help others understand differences when you show people how you do things or share your story. Sometimes, it may take a bit longer to adjust to a new place if you have cultural differences.
How can cultural differences affect parenting?
Your cultural background will affect how you raise your children. You may have ideas that come from your culture about:
- food
- discipline
- showing affection
- sleeping arrangements
- children's responsibilities and independence
- who looks after children
- how much time you spend with your children
For example, some cultures expect children to be quiet and always respect their elders. Other cultures encourage children to speak up and ask for what they want.
How might I handle cultural differences in my home?
It's common for families to struggle with raising children between two different cultures. You may need to modify your parenting style so that it fits both your cultural beliefs and the new culture you are living in.
It's also common for parents and families to disagree about how to raise a child.
Disagreements at home can be upsetting for your child. Conflicting rules based on different cultures can confuse them. Children may also feel like they have to choose one culture over the other, which can be stressful.
You and your partner
If you and your partner are from different cultures, you might have different ideas about parenting. Communication is the key to working well together as parents.
No matter what your cultural background is, you should talk to your partner about how you want your family to be. Try to find creative ways to raise your child in both cultures by:
- speaking to your child in more than one language
- telling them stories about your culture
- involving them in traditional celebrations
Discuss with your partner which traditions and values your family will follow. If you disagree, try to find the middle ground. This will help your child feel safe and secure with both of you. It will also help them learn about both cultures and feel they can belong.
Extended family
You might have parenting issues due to cultural differences in your extended family. If this happens, you and your partner should try to work as a team. Also try to consider the intention behind what the other family members are asking.
Once you and your partner agree on how you want to do something, discuss your decision with other family members, such as grandparents.
You can set boundaries to help you work together as a family to care for your child. Work with your partner, and other family members by:
- standing up for yourself while still hearing their beliefs and feelings
- speaking calmly and firmly
- not placing blame
- using calm, open body language
- letting them know that you see the good things they bring to the family
- thanking them when they respect your boundaries
How might I handle cultural differences outside of my home?
Australia is a multicultural society. One in four people who live in Australia were born overseas. Everyone should feel free to express ideas and share their traditions and culture.
You might notice differences in how children are raised in Australia compared with what you or your partner are used to.
These differences can affect how your children view your parenting style. Differences between home and other places can cause tensions as your children grow older.
Healthcare, childcare and education
You may notice cultural differences when:
- your child goes to childcare
- your child goes to school or pre-school
- you visit the doctor or other healthcare services
- you visit with friends
You might worry that your children will lose some of your traditional values when they are exposed to Australian people or schools. You might also feel sad that your child is having different experiences than you did at their age. You may not know what to do.
Your child may also be confused by different practices outside of your home.
If this is the case, talk to the staff at your child's school or childcare centre. When you are at the doctor's office, talk about how you can work together to meet your family's cultural needs.
Staff will be able to support you better when they understand and respect your culture. This can help you feel more comfortable and give the best support for your child.
Discrimination
It's important for all children to experience other cultures so that they learn to:
- respect other cultures and people
- respect themselves and their culture
- deal with discrimination or racism
If there is a lack of respect between people, this can lead to cultural discrimination. It can affect your child later in life, and cause feelings of:
- distrust and isolation
- depression and anxiety
- anger and frustration
You can encourage cultural acceptance by:
- avoiding anger and conflict about cultural differences in front of your child
- assuring your child that they're not alone in their experiences
- involving them in your culture
- having pride in your culture, and talking positively about other cultures
- encouraging them to have multicultural experiences, through music, art, and friendships
- talking with them about stereotypes, and explaining that discrimination is wrong
Resources and Support
Visit our other pages to learn more here about the culture of parenting in Australia.
Hear from other parents on how they experienced parenting and raising children in Australia at the Raising Children Network.
If you or your family experience discrimination because of cultural differences, you can report it to The Australian Human Rights Commission.
Multilingual Australia has resources to support parents and grandparents from multiple language backgrounds.
You can find information and support about family relationships here:
You can use the Translating and Interpreting Service to call many Australian organisations and Government departments.
If you need to access Government support from Services Australia for your family, you can use the Centrelink Multilingual Phone Service by calling 131 202.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: December 2024
