Adolescent Perceptions of Family Cohesiveness, Autonomy and Independence in Australia and Singapore

Abstract

An important developmental task of adolescents in Western cultures is to become more autonomous and to learn to make decisions. In Eastern cultures, however, autonomy may be seen as less critical than the maintenance of family cohesiveness. In this study, samples of 15-year olds from two contrasting cultures, Australia and Singapore, were asked questions concerning decision ma king in the home, family cohesiveness, and their desire for autonomy and independence. Australian adolescents generally saw themselves as more autonomous and independent, but experienced a lower level of family cohesiveness compared with their Singaporean counterparts. Adolescents in both cultures thought that they played a large role in the decision making process but, as a group, Australian adolescents perceived themselves, as exercising more independence. While there were some gender differences in perception, overall the results suggest that, although gender and culture interact, cultural factors are more significant in the maintenance of family cohesiveness or the emergence of autonomy and independence.