You Must Work Hard: Changes in U.S. Adults' Values for Children 1986-2012

• In Event: 381 - Section on the Sociology of the Family Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 01. Parenthood

Abstract

Using data from the 1986 to 2012 General Social Survey (N = 21,794), we examine how U.S. adults' relative ranking of five desired qualities for children changed over the last quarter-century as U.S. society underwent notable demographic, economic, and cultural changes. Results show that on average preferences for self-direction ("to think for oneself"), the most preferred quality in 1986, declined slightly, whereas preferences for diligence ("to work hard"), the second most preferred quality, increased steadily. Preferences for compassion ("to help others") also increased slightly, whereas preferences for obedience ("to obey") declined steadily. Likability ("to be well-liked") remained the least preferred among the five qualities. These changes remain significant even after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We argue that these patterns of changes may reflect post-modern values in the advanced economy as well as the increasingly competitive occupational and financial climates in the past three decades.

Authors

• Kei Nomaguchi, Bowling Green State University

• Melissa A. Milkie, University of Toronto