This study concerns what values parents prefer in their children. Documenting similarity between the value profiles of parents and children, past studies implicitly assumed that parents want their children to acquire a direct, full copy of their personal values. Incorporating social psychology research on social norms, the authors obtained initial evidence from a study of 80 Singaporean mothers that, apart from referencing what they personally value, parents have ideas about what is normatively important in the society (perceived normative values), and they also want their children to acquire these values.This study highlights the need to consider the concept of norms in understanding familial socialization. Implications for cultural psychology research are also discussed.
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