Do Family Structure and Functioning Matter for Ethical and Other Values?

Abstract

Because family and the beliefs and values of people are important aspects of economic institutions, family structure and functioning might affect the values of family members. Four specific types of values are relevant to economic performance: ethical values, moral values, democratic values, and egalitarian values. Data from the U.S. wave of the World Values Survey are used to determine if there is a correlation between values and the structure and functioning of families. Generally, traditional family structures—married households—and households with a high level of family functioning have higher ethical and moral values than other household structures and households with weak levels of family functioning. However, the relationship between family and democratic and egalitarian values of individuals is more nuanced. The findings point to the continuing importance of the family as an economic institution in society.