Cultural Differences in the Perception of Responsibility for Child Safety

Abstract

Perceptions of safety are an important component of users' evaluations and purchase decisions for many consumer products, especially when it comes to products that may be used by children. In this highly litigious society, a juror's perception of who is responsible for product safety may also become critical in a product liability case. Recent studies have focused on determining which parties the general population perceives as being responsible for accidents involving children. However, given the increase in demographics of minority and immigrant populations in the United States, there may be a cultural interaction which affects these perceptions. This study compares the perceptions of safety responsibility of two of the fastest growing minority populations in the U.S., Hispanics and Asians, to a previous study which quantified that of the general U.S. population. The results show substantial differences in the perceptions of these groups.