Determinanten der Einstellung von Eltern zum selbständigen Verhalten der Kinder / Determinants of parents’ attitudes towards independent behavior of children

Abstract

Abstract Education towards independence is considered as an important aspect of political socialization. Presupposing an interrelationship between the „attitudes of parents towards independent behavior of children“ (= „AIB“) and the actual independent behavior of children, the following questions were asked in an empirical research paper: Is it meaningful to distinguish between ‚inner independence‘ (to be able to assert oneself and to decide freely for oneself) and ‚outer independence‘ (to be able to rely upon oneself)? What are the respective attitudes influenced by? In a sample (n=764) of 382 mothers and fathers of firstgraders among whom members of lower class as well as members of rural and big-city environments were underrepresented, the AIB and their determinants were explored by means of a questionnaire, especially designed for this purpose. The distinction between ‚inner and outer independence‘ proved to be meaningful: Certain groups which did not differ in their AIB when observed in an undifferentiated manner showed highly significant differences when observed in a differentiated manner. Furthermore the age of a child seemed to play a part for the AIB since it becomes relevant for certain situations where independence is demanded. Thus mothers proved significantly more positive in their AIB than fathers, when the situation, where independence was demanded revolved around the ‚inner independence‘ of a child under thirteen years of age. On the other hand, when ‚outer independence‘ was demanded or the child was older than thirteen, fathers proved more positive in their AIB. Obviously society has an immense influence on the AIB. The higher the social class the more positive the AIB and the more frequently „independence“ is chosen by the members of this group as the most important educational goal. Members of the middle class and lower classes differed significantly in their AIB. - A comparison between results of former research papers showed that the AIB is also definitely dependent upon the „historical background“. About 15 years ago the AIB were significantly more negative than in 1973.