'Cartitas de Carino': Little Notes to Say You Care
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| Title: | 'Cartitas de Carino': Little Notes to Say You Care |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Smith, Howard L., Riojas-Cortez, Mari |
| Source: | Language Arts. Nov 2010 88(2):125-133. |
| Availability: | National Council of Teachers of English. 1111 West Kenyon Road, Urbana, IL 61801-1096. Tel: 877-369-6283; Tel: 217-328-3870; Web site: http://www.ncte.org/journals |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Physical Description: | |
| Page Count: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 2010 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Adult Education |
| Descriptors: | Speech Communication, Economic Status, Mexican Americans, Low Income Groups, Spanish Speaking, Parent Participation, Family Literacy, Literacy Education, Cultural Influences, Parent Child Relationship, Affective Behavior, Child Behavior, Working Class, Interpersonal Communication, Adult Education, Imagery, Emotional Response, Preschool Children |
| ISSN: | 0360-9170 |
| Abstract: | Spanish-speaking, Mexican American parents participated in a literacy workshop in which they created short, personal letters called "cartitas de carino" for their children. This paper reports on the content of their texts, which included drawings and messages that reflected the cultural norms and traditions of the families. Using a socio-historical lens, the authors show how the parents' "cartitas de carino" functioned as a tool of cultural and social mediation by communicating their affection and emotional support as well as the scholastic and behavioral expectations parents had for their children. This population (i.e., Spanish-speaking Latinos of the working poor class) is frequently relegated to studies on cultural, social, or educational deficiency. Based on the evidence from the "cartitas de carino," we affirm that Mexican parents, irrespective of their prior schooling or economic status, value literacy as a tool for cultural transmission as well as a form of self-expression, and they readily engage in literacy practices with their children when afforded the opportunity. (Contains 4 figures.) |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Number of References: | 67 |
| Entry Date: | 2010 |
| Access URL: | https://www.ncte.org/journals/la/issues/v88-2 |
| Accession Number: | EJ906328 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Spanish-speaking, Mexican American parents participated in a literacy workshop in which they created short, personal letters called "cartitas de carino" for their children. This paper reports on the content of their texts, which included drawings and messages that reflected the cultural norms and traditions of the families. Using a socio-historical lens, the authors show how the parents' "cartitas de carino" functioned as a tool of cultural and social mediation by communicating their affection and emotional support as well as the scholastic and behavioral expectations parents had for their children. This population (i.e., Spanish-speaking Latinos of the working poor class) is frequently relegated to studies on cultural, social, or educational deficiency. Based on the evidence from the "cartitas de carino," we affirm that Mexican parents, irrespective of their prior schooling or economic status, value literacy as a tool for cultural transmission as well as a form of self-expression, and they readily engage in literacy practices with their children when afforded the opportunity. (Contains 4 figures.) |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0360-9170 |
