Children's influence in family decision-making: Examining the impact of the changing American family

A Humanistic Approach to Understanding Child Consumer Socialization in US Homes

“…For example, researchers have observed young children and their parents in retail environments (Ironico, 2012; Kinsky & Bichard, 2011), yet if researchers are interested in the home environment, then they could spend extended periods of time with children and families in their homes (Kerrane, Hogg, & Bettany, 2012). Similarly, although studies have consistently shown that parents have a great influence on children's consumer socialization, particularly through communication styles and parental mediation (Buijzen & Mens, 2007;Carlson, Walsh, Laczniak, & Grossbart, 1994;Dotson & Hyatt, 2005;Nathanson, 1999Nathanson, , 2002Nathanson & Botta, 2003), the structure and nature of "family" and the people in and around the home have changed in the past 30 years [e.g., single-parent families, extended family child-rearing, delayed marriage, and child-rearing; (Flurry, 2007)]. Given changes in home-life and media-life, it is time to observe consumer socialization in today's child's home environment.…”

Does Marital Status of Parents Relate to Family Communication Regarding Finances?

“…The survey was designed to explore parent-youth communication about savings and investments and the financial knowledge and behaviors of parents and youth. The survey instrument for this study included a portion of the questions developed by the research team of the NC 1013 multistate research project "The Economics and Psychological Determinants of Household Savings Behavior," with additional questions to capture parent-child communication about money and savings (Multistate North Central Research Project 1013, 2007. A total of 132 youth who participated in a state-wide 4-H event in December 2006 and their respective 132 parents who responded to the survey were included in this study.…”

“…Two studies were conducted: one on 4 th and 5 th graders in public school and the other on mothers of children aged 9 to 11. Flurry (2007) found that children in divorced, single-parent families had the greatest influence in the purchase of child products, whereas children living with single, nevermarried parents had the least influence in the selection of child products.…”

“…For this study the literature on parent-child communication about consumer issues is grounded in consumer socialization theory (Flurry, 2007;Lachance, et al, 2000), which suggests an association between parent-child communication and the marital status of the parents. Lachance, et al (2000) found that family structure was associated with adolescent participation in family consumer tasks and decisions.…”

“…Flurry (2007) argued that through participation in family decision-making, children raised in different types of families learn norms, roles, and consumer skills, and are thereby able to exert influence on purchase decisions. Two studies were conducted: one on 4 th and 5 th graders in public school and the other on mothers of children aged 9 to 11.…”