Environmental consumerism: A process of children's socialization and families' resocialization

Abstract

The development and impact of children's concern for the environment is addressed. A model is presented that illustrates that such development may be based upon children's cognitive status, their exposure to nature, and their exposure to particular socializing influences. One of the possible outcomes of children's concern for the environment is that they may become catalysts for family environmental consumerism, and thereby influence related family attitudes and decision‐making. We propose that environmental consumerism may be moderated by the nature of family communication patterns, which can affect the possibility of family resocialization regarding environmental concerns. In addition, family resources are also expected to moderate the degree of family environmental consumerism. We suggest that environmental consumerism will be reflected in both purchasing and recycling choices and behavior. Consequently, marketing implications are also addressed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

How National Culture and Parental Style Affect the Process of Adolescents’ Ecological Resocialization

“…This adds an extra dimension to the normal flow of information between children and parents. While teenage consumer socialization [13,15] and reverse socialization [16,17] have been extensively addressed in consumer behavior literature, the topic of ecological resocialization has been less frequently considered [7,18]. Ecological resocialization refers to adolescents' influence over their parents' behavior with specific reference to environmental actions, e.g., reducing domestic electricity or water consumption, not littering, using modes of transportation other than cars, buying green items, and so on [9].…”

“…There is a distinct shift in environmental orientation to a more reflective way of thinking and reasoning, as children move into adolescence and are able to understand the complexities of ecological systems. Unlike children in early grade school who are emotionally concerned with nature, adolescents develop a more factually-based orientation towards the natural environment [7,54].…”

“…Prior research on adolescents' environmental behaviors focused largely on the United States (e.g., [7]), with additional studies beginning to emerge in other cultures, including Australia [8], Europe [9], and Asia [10]. This focus on teenage pro-environmental behaviors within singular nations has left issues regarding the impact of national culture on environmental behaviors largely unaddressed.…”

A Conceptual Framework of the Adoption and Practice of Environmental Actions in Households

“…Easterling et al [131] raised the possibility that children's environmental concern and knowledge may act as a catalyst for family behaviour change. Indeed, Brook Lyndhurst [66], Ekström [132], Gentina and Muratore [16], Maddox et al [133], Mårtensson and Pettersson [126] and Woollam et al [134], present empirical evidence of children and teenagers influencing their parents with respect to EA participation primarily by taking related messages home from school.…”

“…Indeed, Brook Lyndhurst [66], Ekström [132], Gentina and Muratore [16], Maddox et al [133], Mårtensson and Pettersson [126] and Woollam et al [134], present empirical evidence of children and teenagers influencing their parents with respect to EA participation primarily by taking related messages home from school. Such situations have been referred to as children resocialising the family [131], reverse socialisation [4] and ecological resocialisation [16]. However, Grønhøj and Thøgersen [4] noted that in terms of intergenerational influence, parent to child socialisation influence is the dominant direction, and along with Grønhøj and Thøgersen [13], presented evidence to demonstrate the significant influence of family socialisation on adolescents' orientation with respect to EAs.…”