Independence and Interdependence in Children’s Developmental Experiences

Understanding the complexities of culture and development has been advanced by theory and research on how cultural conceptions of independence and interdependence shape child development. This article begins with a theoretical overview that traces a move from characterizing cultures in terms of either independence or interdependence to considering how both independence and interdependence are understood and structured in varied cultures. Then, a research review points to cross-cultural and within-culture variability in understanding and structuring children’s independence and interdependence. Applied implications and directions for future research are discussed.