Sharing Stories and Imparting Values: An Observational Study of Father-Adolescent Conversations About School

• In Event: Family Ecosystem and Its Relationship to Positive Adolescent Functioning

Abstract

Parent-child conversations are a means through which parents socialize their adolescents in the education domain. Yet, observational research on parent-adolescent conversations about school and education remains limited, especially with fathers. The purpose of this study was to gain in-depth knowledge of the nature of father-adolescent conversations about education and school by investigating how fathers convey their values and messages to their children. Sixteen middle-school students and their fathers participated in 10-minute conversations in which they reminisced about their own school experiences. We identified 14 messages and four sets of values: resilience, authenticity, friendship, and education. Results provide knowledge that can guide parents and schools in their efforts to communicate effectively with early adolescents during the transition to middle school.

Authors

• Marie-Anne Suizzo, University of Texas at Austin

• Ryan A. Mata, University of Minnesota

• Desirée Lama, University of Texas at Austin

• Jeanne Klovert, University of Texas at Austin

• Huajian Gao, University of Texas at Austin