Abstract
The paper is based on empirical material collected in connection with the research project ‘Way of life in the family parental awareness of parenthood, and children’s social development’. The sample consisted of 212 families with both parents and a six-year-old child. It was relatively homogeneous with regard to the educational background of the parents. Comparisons were made between groups of families which differed with regard to (1) symmetry in the division of labour, (2) socialization of children to work, and (3) the relative significance of work vs. family life to the parents. Symmetry in the division of labour was strongly reflected in the family time consumption patterns and their common interests. The parents active role as instigators of common activity was also related to both time consumption and interests. The particular characteristics of work-centred families were described. The wife’s employment status and the nature of her work was associated with the family was of life, while the husband’s work was less important in this respect. Interpretations were made in terms of the trend of changes in the division of labour in the family and children’s socialization to work.
Résumé
L’article s’appuie sur une documentation empirique rassemblée à propos d’un projet de recherche, «Mode de vie familial, conscience des parents de leur condition parentale, et développement social des enfants», sur un échantillon de 212 familles, composées des deux parents et d’un enfant de six ans, échantillon relativement homogène quant à l’éducation des parents. Les comparaisons ont été faites entre des groupes de familles qui se distinguent par (1) la symétrie dans la répartition des tâches, (2) la socialisation des enfants à l’egard du travail, et (3) l’importance relative de la vie professionnelle opposée à la vie familiale pour les parents. La symétrie dans la répartition des tâches se retrouve nettement dans les modèles d’utilisation du temps par la famille et dans ses intérêts communs. Le rôle actif des parents dans l’incitation à des activités en commun se trouve lié aussi bien à la manière d’utiliser le temps qu’aux intérêts communs. Les caractéristiques particulières des familles orientées sur le travail sont décrites. Le statut de l’emploi de la femme et la nature de son travail sont liés au mode de vie familial, alors qu’à cet égard le travail du mari est moins important. Des interprétations sont posées en fonction des tendances a modifier la répartition des tâches dans la famille et de la socialisation des enfants pour le travail.
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The paper is based on the results of the project «The family’s was of life, parental awareness of parenthood and children’s social development», carried out in 1977 to 1981 in cooperation with Leena Alanen, Jorma Luolaja, and Pirjo Pölkki. The writer is indebted to Alma Mikkanen for her assistance in reviewing literature and data processing.
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Takala, M. Family Activity Patterns as related to the symmetry in the division of labour in the family, children’s socialization to work and the significance of work to the parents. Eur J Psychol Educ 1, 59–75 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03177411
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03177411