Cross-cultural similarities and variations in parent-child value transmission in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract Diverse global cultures have different value definitions, meanings, and orientations. Yet, some values are shared across societies, varying in importance in each context. Values that the current generation of parents strive to pass on to the next generation are context-laden, evolving, and varying in conceptualisation worldwide. Subsequently, to advance cultural humility and value sensitivity, early childhood development (ECD) information, programs, policies, services, interventions, and research should consider and adapt to the value considerations relevant to the local implementation context. This mixed-methods study explores cross-cultural similarities and variations in values that parents aspire to instil in children, aiming to identify the values reported by parents, other child caregivers, and subject matter experts throughout 12 low- and middle-income countries: Afghanistan, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, and Uzbekistan. A total of 70 co-design workshops were conducted with 348 participants living in these countries. In addition to providing empirical insights into the distinct and shared values across these 12 countries, the results have practical value for advancing the cultural humility and value sensitivity of early childhood education and care, ECD information, digital ECD interventions, and related research.