Value transmissions between parents and children: Gender and developmental phase as transmission belts

Abstract

This study applied the gender role model of socialization theory. the developmental aging theory, and the topic salience perspective to the investigation of parent-child value transmissions Specifically, we examined whether the bi-directionality and selectivity of value transmissions differed as a function of parents' and children's gender and children's developmental phase (adolescence versus emerging adulthood) Transmissions between parents and children from 402 Dutch families on the topics of work as duty and hedonism were studied across a 5-year period using structural equation modeling As expected, we did not find convincing support for the general models of gender socialization and developmental aging Instead, parent-child value transmissions appeared to be qualified by value salience Particularly, high salience of work as duty for fathers was related with great paternal involvement in transmissions of this value orientation and high salience of hedonism for sons and adolescents was linked to transmissions from these groups to parents.