Acculturating into (In)active Commuting to School

Differences between Children of Foreign-Born and U.S.-Born Caregivers

Abstract

This study explores how the cultural backgrounds of caregivers influence their perceptionsand attitudes toward their children’s active commuting to school. Caregivers in a suburban school district reported low rates of active commuting among children. Domestic and foreign-born caregivers differed in their perceptionsofsafetyfrom crime. In addition, foreign-born caregivers who are more acculturated tend to be more reluctant to allow children’s active commuting to schoolin the near future, compared to foreign-born caregivers who are less acculturated. Cultural factors and perceptions of safety from crime should be considered in the development of programs that promote active commuting to school.