The Relationship between Girls' Attitudes concerning the Family and Their Perception of the Patterns Existing in the Family of Origin

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between lower-class Israeli girls' perceptions of various patterns in their families of origin and their attitudes concerning desirable patterns in their future families. It was found that traditional role allocation is desirable to the girls in the area of household roles. However, a significant change (in comparison to their parents) in the direction of increased sharing between husband and wife in areas connected with running the home and care and education of the children was found. The girls also differed from their mothers in their desire to marry at a later age, to have fewer children and to work outside the home.