Prof. Judith Smetana surveyed 120 teenagers and their parents, giving them different situations when either a parent or teen requires help from the other. One example included asking a teenager to wait for a furniture delivery when the teen had plans to go to a movie with friends. Teens were twice as likely as parents to say that the teen should stay home and help.
Parents had higher expectations for older teens than for middle schoolers. "Parents seem pretty attuned to adolescents' need for autonomy," said Dr. Smetana.
This study appeared in the journal Child Development.
Labels: charity, assistance
Posted By: Aspen Education Group