Parenting and materialism in children

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between child-rearing styles of the mother and father, and their children's materialism. 346 subjects, aged 20-35, took part in the study. To measure the variables, the following scales were used: My Childhood Memories, designed by Arrindell et al. (2001); the Material Values Scale designed by Richins (2004); the Priorities in Life Scale (2001); and the Motives for Making Money Scale, designed by Srivastav, Locke and Bartol (2001). The study has shown that the formation of a materialistic orientation is facilitated by negative parenting attitudes: rejection in the case of the mother and excessive protection in the case of the father. Positive attitudes have a two-directional impact. The father's positive attitude hinders the development of the materialistic orientation, while a similar attitude on the part of the mother may foster it.