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STRUCTURES OF FAMILY MANAGEMENT
IN TWO SOCIO- ECONOMIC CLASSES

Thesis for the Degree of M. A.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LORETTA ANN ONORATO
1968

ABSTRACT

STRUCTURES OF FAMILY MANAGEMENT
IN TWO SOCIO—ECONOMIC CLASSES

By

Loretta Ann Onorato

Forty families representing two socio—economic
groups were surveyed to determine the decision-maker(s)
and the decision—implementer(s) in each of four areas of
family activities: household tasks, family care, econ-
omic and social. Predominant structures of family manage—
ment, composed of decisions made and decisions implemented,
were identified in each of these four areas. Structures
conceptualized by Herbst and used for analysis were the
structures of autonomous, autocratic and syncratic. The
extent of involvement of family members in making
decisions and in implementing these decisions was deter-
mined for both middle and lower socio-economic groups.

The sample consisted of twenty-two middle-class
and eighteen lower—class families. Three members of each
family--the husband, the wife and a teen—age son or
daughter—-independently completed the questionnaires.
Questionnaires were delivered personally to each family.

The instrument was pre-coded for analysis. In computing

Loretta Ann Onorato

the responses, only agreeing responses of all three family
members were used. Structures of family management were
identified for each family in both socio-economic groups

in each of the four areas of activities. A t-test of sig-
nificance was employed to determine the correlation between
middle-class and lower—class family management.

Findings indicated no difference between the two
groups so to the predominant structure(s) of family manage-
_ ment that existed in each of the four areas tested.
Statistical tests of correlation revealed no significant
difference between middle—class and lower-class family
management.

Different structures were evidenced in each of the
four areas. Specifically,the areas of household task
activities and family care activities were managed autono-
mously by the wives in both socio-economic groups. The
area of economic activities was managed autonomously by
both the husbands and the wives in both groups. The area
of social activities was managed autocratically by both
the husbands and the wives in both groups. Syncratic
structures were not predominant in any one area; but, were
evidenced in the areas of family care activities and social
activities.

Findings indicated that for both socio—economic
groups, activities tended to be managed (that is, decided
and implemented) by the husband and wife primarily, with

little teen-age involvement.

Loretta Ann Onorato

It was concluded that social status was not an
indicant of any one type of management structure; that all
three types of structures might co-exist in any one family;
and, that the area of family living and not the social
status of the family should be studied and researched

further in studying family management.

STRUCTURES OF FAMILY MANAGEMENT

IN TWO SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES

By

Loretta Ann Onorato

A THESIS

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

Department of Family and Child Sciences

1968

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The author wishes to express appreciation to those
individuals who fostered the creation of this manuscript.
My sincerest appreciation to:

Dr. Beatrice Poolucci--whose knowledge, guidance
and dedication were most instrumental in the production
of this manuscript;

Dr. Frances Magrabi--whose knowledge and patience
in programming the data made many of the analyses possible;

Dr. Twyla Shear--whose interest and questions helped
to guide the research;

Dr. Theodore B. Johannis-—whose suggestions and
information guided the production of the research instru-
ment;

Dr. Arleen Otto and Miss Esther Everett--who
willingly substituted on the examining committee;

the families of the sample-~whose assistance and
c00peration provided the data for this research; and

the staff members of several schools, colleges and
universities--who provided technical assistance and cooper-

ation.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . ii
LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . v
Chapter
I. THE PROBLEM: RATIONALE AND CONCEPTU-
ALIZATION. . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction. . . . . . . . . 1
II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE . . . . . . . 6
Factors Affecting Decision-Making
in the Family . . . . 6
Factors Affecting Decision-Imple—
menting in the Family. . . . 8
Shared Decision-Making and Decision-
Implementing in the Family . . . 9
Extent of Agreement Among Family
Members as to Decision-Makers
in the Family . . . . . . . 10
III. METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . 13
Development of the Instrument . . . 13
Pre—Testing with Total Families . . 15
Selection of the Sample . . . . . 16
Collection of Data. . . . . . . 16
Analysis of Data . . . . . . . 17
IV. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE. . . . . . . 20
Education of Husbands. . . . . . 21
Ages of Family Members . . . . . 21
Years of Marriage . . . . . . 23
Religion of Family Members . . . . 2A
Occupation of Family Members . . . 28

iii

Chapter
V. FINDINGS . . . . . . . .

Household Task Activities. .
Family Care Activities. . . .
Economic Activities. . . . .
Social Activities . . .

Statistical Tests of Correlation
Limitations of the Study . . .

VI. CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . .
Structures of Family Management.

Family Involvement in Managing
the Home . . . . .
Areas of Family Living. . . .
LITERATURE CITED. . . . . . . . . .
APPENDICES I O O O I O O O O O O 0

APPENDIX A. . . . . . . . . . .

APPENDIX B. . . . . . . . .
APPENDIX C. O O O O O O O O O 0
APPENDIX D. . . . . . . . . .

iv

Page

.Table

10.

ll.

12.

LIST OF TABLES

Page

Education of Husbands by Socio—Economic

Class . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Ages of Husbands and Wives by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 22
Ages of Teen-Age Boys and Teen-Age Girls

by Socio-Economic Class . . . . . . 23
Years of Marriage of Husbands and Wives by

Socio-Economic Class . . . . . . . 24
Religion of Family Members by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 25
Church Attendance of Family Members by

Socio-Economic Class . . . . . . . 27
Occupations of Family Members by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 29
Working Hours of Family Members by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 3O
Autonomous Structures of Family Management

in Household Task Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 33
Autocratic Structures of Family Management

in Household Task Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 3A
Syncratic Structures of Family Management

in Household Task Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 35
Autonomous Structures of Family Management

in Family Care Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . . . . . . . 37

Page

Table

13. Autocratic Structures of Family Management
in Family Care Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . .

38

1A. Syncratic Structures of Family Management
in Family Care Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . .

A0

15. Autonomous Structures of Family Management
in Economic Activities by Socio—

Economic Class . . . .

A2

16. Autocratic Structures of Family Management
in Economic Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . .

A3

17. Syncratic Structures of Family Management
in Economic Activities by Socio-

Economic Class . . . .

AA

18. Autonomous Structures of Family Management
in Social Activities by Socio-Economic

Class . . . . . . .

l9. Autocratic Structures of Family Management
in Social Activities by Socio-Economic

Class O O O O O O O O

20. Syncratic Structures of Family Management
in Social Activities by Socio-Economic
. . A8

Class O 0 O O O O
Predominant Structures of Family Management

A6

A7

21.
in Four Areas of Family Activities by
Socio-Economic Group . . -. . . . 50
Values of t in Structures of Family Manage—
. o 52

22.
ment by Areas of Family Activities

vi

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM: RATIONALE AND CONCEPTUALIZATION

Introduction

 

Home management is concerned with how family members
establish family goals and use resources to achieve these
goals. Inherent in this is the concern for identifying
which family members decided the goals and which family
members implemented these goals.

A study of family management; therefore, would neces—
sitate studying the activities families performed in main—
taining the home and the family; and, identifying the
decision-maker(s) and the decision—implementer(s) for
these activities.

If the family's daily activities were classified as
to specific areas of family living, and if the decision-
maker(s) and the decision-implementer(s) were determined
for each of these areas, it would be possible to determine
the type of management structure that existed within each
area for any one given family. It would be possible to
determine whether a family managed all areas the same or

whether each area was managed differently. Furthermore,

the schema of classifying family activities into specific
areas and then identifying the management structures for
each area could be used as a basis for comparing manage-
ment structures between or among groups of families.

Obtaining data from one family member would yield
only one person's perception of the management of the
home. Surveying all or most of the adult family members
and using only agreeing responses would increase the
reliability of the data obtained; and, would provide a
more accurate identification of the decision-maker(s)
and the decision-implementer(s).

Although much research has been done to determine
the decision-makers within various areas of family living,
little has been done to determine the implementers for
these decisions.

Most researchers have surveyed only one family
member; some two family members. Very few have surveyed
more.

Therefore, it was proposed to study the structures
of management within various areas of family living by
identifying the decision—makers and the decision-imple-
menters for each activity within these areas; and, to
obtain data from more than one family member. Furthermore,
it was proposed to classify families into specific groups
21nd to compare the structures of family management that

Eixisted within these two groups of families.

Conceptual Framework

Herbst (A) conceptualized three patterns of family
structures: (1) autonomous, (2) autocratic, and (3)
syncratic. As adapted for this study, these structures
were characterized by identifying the specified number
of family members making the decision(s) and implementing
these decisions. Autonomous structures were characterized
by any one family member making the decision and imple-
menting the decision by himself or herself. Autocratic
structures were characterized by any one family member
Inaking the decision, but that decision being implemented
‘by someone else, or by the decision-maker and someone else.
:Syncratic structures were characterized by any two or
rnore family members making the decision together and that

ciecision being implemented by any one or more persons.

(JbJective
The objective of this study was to identify the

puredominant structure(s) of family management as measured
bsr family involvement in decision—making and decision—im-
plxenmnting in two socio-economic groups in the areas of:
hcnlsehold task activities, family care activities, economic

actxivities, and social activities.

Eypothesis

It was hypothesized that middle and lower socio—

econonric families would have different structures of

family management in each of four areas of family living.
Specifically,

(l) in the area of household task activities,
middle-class families would have autonomous
structures, and lower-class families would
have autonomousenuiautocratic structures;

(2) in the area of family care activities, middle-
class families would have autonomous structures,
and lower-class families would have autocratic
structures;

(3) in the area of economic activities, middle-
class families would have syncratic structures,
and lower—class families would have autonomous
structures;

(A) in the area of social activities, middle—class
families would have syncratic structures, and
lower-class families would have syncratic

structures.

Assumption

 

It was assumed that family members would be able to
identify the decision-maker(s) and the decision—implementer(s)
in four areas of family living: household task activities,
family care activities, economic activities, and social

activities.

Operational Definition of
Central Concepts

The concepts central to the study were: (1) decision-
making, (2) decision-implementing, (3) structures of family
management.

1. Decision-making was defined as the process(es)

of selecting between or mediating among two or
more alternatives. Identification of the
decision-maker(s) in the family was determined
by the question: "who usually decides who will
?n
2. Decision—implementing was defined as putting the
decision(s) into action. Identification of the
decision-implementer(s) in the family was deter-
mined by the question: "who usually does . . .?”
3. Structures of family management was defined as
the type of patterns formed by combining the
decision—maker(s) and the decision—implementer(s)
for any one activity. Three structures were
used: (1) autonomous, (2) autocratic, (3)

syncratic (see Appendix D).1

 

lHusbands--the role designation of husband(s) used
in this report is synonomous with the role designation of
husband-father(s).

Wives--the role designation of wife (wives) used
in this report is synonomous with the role designation of
‘wife-mother(s).

Class, status, socio-economic class, and socio—
economic status are used interchangeably in this report.

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Literature was reviewed to determine the factors re-
lated to the extent of involvement of family members in
decision-making and decision-implementing.

Factors Affecting Decision-
Making In the Family

Any particular aspect of family life is determined
by a wide variety of forces of causes. Blood and Wolfe
have identified eight factors related to the ability of
marital partners to initiate decisions: stage of the
family life cycle, employment of the wife outside the
home, church attendance of the husband, community involve-
ment of the spouses, education of the spouses, socio-
economic level of the family, and the availability and
resourcefulness of the people involved in the activity and
the decision (1). Stage of the family life cycle has been
shown by Blood and Wolfe, and, Komarovsky to be of signifi-
cance. In general, newly married couples had higher rates
of Joint involvement in decision-making. With increased
length of marriage, one member was likely to decide alone.
Wives in their forties and fifties appeared to initiate

rmore decisions than younger wives (1), (10).

6

Blood and Wolfe found that in situations where the
wife worked, there was more equality in decision—making
between husband and wife, and more participation by the
husband in the total task of running the home. Also, the
more years the wife has worked since marriage, the greater
her ability to initiate decisions (1). Wolgast, however,
found that whether a wife wbrked or not had no effect on
her decision-making function (15).

Blood and Wolfe found that in both lower and middle
socio—economic families, the more one partner's education
exceeded that of the other, the larger was his share in
marital decision—making (l).

The relationship between decision—making and socio—
economic level has been shown by studies (l), (10) to be
of significance. Indicants of social status as used by
Blood and Wolfe were occupation, income, residence, and
race (1). In general, high status husbands took a more
active part in decision—making; whereas, working class
families tended to be more wife—dominated (l), (10).

White husbands were shown to be more influential than
their Negro status equals within each occupational stratum,
each income bracket, and each social status level (1).

Higher income of the husband greatly increased his
involvement in decision-making, and diminished the wife's,
if she did not work (1), (10), (15). This was also evi—
dented in relating the occupational prestige of the hus-

Iaand to marital decision-making. In general, the higher

his occupational prestige, the greater his involvement in
decision—making.

Johannis and Rollins found decision—making not to be
related to occupation of either the husband or wife (8);
whereas, Hammond found distinct patterns of decision-making
according to occupation. Of employers and self—employed,
almost all had autonomous family structures; two—thirds
of the skilled workers had husband-autocratic patterns;
and the technical occupations had the least autonomous
pattern than any other group (12).

Factors Affecting Decision-Implementing
in the Family

 

The factors of employment outside the home, income,
age of family members, and availability and resourcefulness
of family members have been shown to be significant in
influencing the extent of involvement of family members in
implementing decisions (1). Nichols (l3) and Gross (3)
found little correlation between mother's employment out-
side the home and the involvement of family members in
household activities.

The relationship between income and family involve-
ment in doing jobs around the home has been noted by
Wolgast (l5), and Komarovsky (10), but the findings were
contradictory. Wolgast found more autonomy as family
incomes increased; whereas, Komarovsky found more autonomy

in families with incomes under $2,000.

Herbst (A) found that by the age of eight, differ-
entiation in tasks in the home was evident; but at all
ages, the degree of involvement of the females in both
decision-making and decision-implementing was greater
than that of the males.

Studies by Blood and Wolfe (l), and Wilkening and
Morrison (1A) indicated that maJor determinants of who
does what in the family was availability and resourcefulness
of the family members. Whichever member was present and
most closely involved with the activity tended to make the
decisions and perform the activity. Also, couples who
shared more than half their decisions, did more than half
their tasks together; whereas couples who made few Joint
decisions, did few tasks together.

Shared Decision-Making and Decision-
Implementing in the Family

Johannis (5), in measuring role perception in the
family, distinguished family activities into four areas
and.found different degrees of involvement in decision-
nmflcing and decision-implementing in each area. In the areas
of liousehold tasks and child control and care, there was
1little involvement of family members in decision-making and
deCtision-implementing. These areas tended to be charac-
teI‘ized by wife-autonomous and wife—autocratic structures.

In the area of economic functions, some decisions

Were made Jointly by the husband and wife, with little

10

involvement of the children and teenagers. Wilkening and
Morrison (1A) found evidences of shared economic decisions
in farm families.

In the areas of social functions, there was evidence
of some family involvement in activities concerning the
entire family. For instance, deciding who would go to-
gether on family outings was shared (8). Deciding who
would use the family car and who would belong to clubs was
not shared by family members (8). In the area of social
functions, Johannis (6) found that teen—age boys tended to
seek friends and social activities outside the family
circle; more so, than teen—age girls. Teen-age girls
entertained friends at home more than teen-age boys (6),
(7), (8), and belonged to clubs and visited friends more
frequently than the parents did. In general, teenagers
saw themselves participating in decisions in social activi-
ties far less frequently than they did their parents (7).

Extent of Agreement Among Family Members
as to Decision—Makers in the Family

 

 

Kenkel, in a study of married couples, found a wide
discrepancy between the reports of the spouses as to their
role in making decisions, and their actual observed be-
havior in decision-making situations. Kenkel concluded
that the couples studied were unable to Judge who actually

rnade the decisions (9).

II

Wilkening and Morrison found that rural husbands and
wives checked the same category only about half the time on
the average. The percentage agreeing on the average ranged
from 77 per cent for deciding whether to buy land, to only
36 per cent for deciding whether to try out a new variety
of crOp. It was concluded that one spouse may have been
registering the norm or expected pattern of deciding,
while the other partner was indicating more accurately how
things were actually decided (1A).

Wolgast is a multi-stage area study of a cross-section
of urban families in the United States compared responses of
husbands and wives in aggregate. Findings indicated that
there was common agreement among the responses as to who
made the decision. In families where roles were well—defined,
there was much agreement as to who does various activities.
Answers to who decides each of the activities, Wolgast con-
cluded, probably described features of family organization
rather than influence (15).

McKinley in measuring the autonomy of the father's
Job and the techniques of discipline used, interviewed hus—
bands, wives, and their sons. Review of all three independent
sources of data indicated a general picture of support (12).

Ferber noted the inconsistencies of responses among
family members to questions relating to income, family size,
and planned purchases. Families with heads fifty years of
age or over, low-income families, and families of two mem-

bers showed the greatest consistency in responses. It was

12

recommended that information be obtained from at least two

members of a family, preferably all the adult members (2).

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This study was designed to measure the relationship
between the variables of socio-economic status and the
involvement of family members in decision—making and
decision—implementing. This chapter deals with the
development and testing of the instrument, the selection

of the sample, and the data collection and analysis.

Development of the Instrument

 

The questionnaire used in this study was based upon
the instrument developed by Herbst (A). The activities of
the family were divided into four areas: household tasks,
child care and control, economic, and social. In developing
questionnaire items within each area, a time sequence was
used for a single working day: (1) getting up in the morn-
ing, until the husband left for work and the children for
school; (2) husband at work, wife's household and other
activities; (3) husband and children return home, going to
bed; (A) social activities outside the home on weekends and
holidays. Items were selected on the basis of this time
sequence and were used if both the husband and wife could

potentially do them.

13

lA

Johannis (5) had also used an adapted form of the
Herbst questionnaire to measure role perception in relation
to socio—economic class. In order to refine the instru-
ment used in this study, a letter requesting information
concerning the questionnaire was sent to Johannis.2 Sug-
gestions were received for rewording the test items, re—
arranging the format and changing the spacing of items.

Each test item was then reviewed and analyzed by the re-
searcher and authorities in the field to determine the
necessity and importance of each item for the sample used.

In attempting to determine further the appropriateness
of items which had appeared in the questionnaire used by
Johannis, a twelfth-grade sociology class was asked to list
Jobs done at home by specific family members, and, to list
Jobs done in each of the four areas studied (see Appendix
A).

As a result of this, further changes were made in
the instrument. The four areas of family activities remained
the same, except the area originally entitled "child control
and care" was changed to "family care" in order to incor-
porate more family members of any age range. Activities
within each area were changed or reworded according to the
responses given by the students. Changes were also made in

the questions concerning the background information of the

families.

‘

2Dr. Theodore B. Johannis, Jr., Department of
Sociology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon.

15

A copy of the modified instrument was sent to
Johannis for further suggestions, changes, and additions.
The revised instrument was again tested with a group of
twenty—five, tenth—grade girls in a home economics class.
Some deletions were made, some additions, and some re-

wording, especially with items in the family care section.

Pre—Testing with Total Families

To test the clarity of the directions, the difficulty
encountered in completing the questionnaire, the length of
time necessary to answer the questions, the coding proce—
dures developed, and the analyses required, four families,
representing two socio—economic groups were asked to com-
plete the questionnaires, record the amount of time spent,
and to offer suggestions and comments. Three members of
each family completed the questionnaires independently of
each other. The instrument was then finalized and pre—coded.

Section I in the finalized questionnaire was designed
to obtain background information on each family. Variables
shown to be related to decision—making and decision-imple—
menting were included. Sections II and III consisted of
identical lists of activities. Respondents were asked to
indicate who did each activity in Section II, and who de-
cided.each activity in Section III. Items #1—39 were
corrcerned with household task activities, #AO—53 family
care activities, #5A—67 economic activities, and #68-83

social activities (see Appendix B).

l6

Selection of the Sample

The families selected had to meet three criteria:
(1) they had to be of the Caucasian race, (2) the husband
and wife had to have been born in the United States, (3)
the family unit had to consist of husband, wife, and at
least one teenager.3 Families of twelfth-graders at a
high school in the Eastern United States comprised the
population. Information concerning all families of
twelfth-graders was obtained from family data forms on
file in the guidance department of the school. Permission
to use these records was secured from the school adminis-
tration. Of a total of 177 families, 107 met the criteria.

Using the Index of Social Status--Short Form proposed
by McGuire and White (11), families were classified as to
socio-economic class (see Appendix C). Twenty-five families

from each social class were randomly selected for research.

Collection of Data
Each family was telephoned and permission was secured
from one adult member to have the questionnaires given to
three members of the family: husband, wife, and one
twelfth-grade boy or girl. The questionnaires were

delivered personally to each family. In most instances

¥

3Either one or both of the parents did not have to
be the natural parent(s) of the teenager. Of primary
concern here was the requirement that in each family there
‘was one person designated as husband, one as wife, and one
as teen-age son or teen-age daughter.

17

the researcher talked with one family member (usually the
wife); in some instances other family members involved in
the research were present. The family members were in-
structed to complete the questionnaires independently,
without consulting or observing the other members.

Written instructions were also on the questionnaire form
and on the envelope containing the questionnaires for

each family. Most families were revisited two days later
to collect the questionnaires. Whenever more convenient
for the family, the questionnaires were mailed back to the
researcher. Only twenty-two families in the middle—class
and eighteen families in the lower class fully completed
and returned the questionnaires. If the questionnaires
were only partially completed, or if only one or two family
members completed the questionnaires, the data were not

used. Five families failed to return the questionnaires.

Analysis of Data

 

In order to simplify key punch and analysis procedures,
the questionnaire test items were coded before distribution.
Codes for items appeared on the instrument. The Code Key
may be found on the questionnaire (see Appendix B). In
analyzing the data, each section was treated individually.
Analyses of items in all three sections was made according
‘to socio-economic status.

The purpose of the first section was to obtain de—

scriptive information about each family. Analyses were

18

made on the basis of each individual family member, each
family unit and each status grouping.

Sections II and III concerned four areas of family
activities: household task activities, family care
activities, economic activities and social activities.

For each item, eight responses were possible. These two
sections were analyzed as to agreements in responses among
family members, the extent of involvement of family mem-
bers in the decision-making and decision-implementing, and
the type of patterns existing for each family in each
status level.

For purposes of analysis, distinctions were made be-
tween agreeing and disagreeing responses. Whenever all
three family members checked at least one box, the re—
sponses constituted an agreement for that box. Any other
pattern characterized a disagreement. Computations of
agreeing responses were made for each family, and in each
of the four areas of activities, and for each social
stratum.

Analysis for involvement of family members in
decision-making and decision-implementing was made on the
basis of agreeing responses only. Disagreeing responses
were not included in the calculations. Computations were
made in each of the four areas of activities, for each
family, and for each social stratum.

Analysis of family structures was computed by

grouping each family's agreeing responses of "who does"

l9

and "who decides" in each of the four areas. Structures
of family management were determined by using the schema
of autonomous, autocratic, and syncratic (see Appendix D).
Predominant structures were identified in each of the four
areas, for each family in each social stratum. The
statistical test used to determine the relationship be-
tween socio-economic class, and decision-making and
decision—implementing was a t test, used for Sections II

and III.Ll

 

“Programming was done by Dr. Frances Magrabi, Depart-
ment of Home Management and Child Development, College of
Home Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing,
Michigan. '

CHAPTER IV

DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE

The forty families of the sample represented two
socio-economic classes: middle and lower. Socio-economic
status was determined from the occupation, education, and
source of income of the husband in each family. A sum-
mary of the predominant characteristics of the sample
indicated that:

Of the middle-class husbands, 50 per cent had

completed high school, and A5 per cent had com-

pleted college. Of the lower-class husbands, none
had attended college; 39 per cent had completed

four years of high school;

Of the entire sample of husbands and wives, 90

per cent were 36 years of age or over;

Of the middle-class husbands and wives, 90 per cent
had been married 16-25 years. Of the lower-class
husbands and wives, 93 per cent had been married

16-25 years;

Of the middle—class families, approximately 50

per cent were members of the Roman Catholic

20

21

Church. Of the lower-class families, the majority
of family members surveyed were members of no

church;

Of the middle-class wives, 27 per cent worked out—
side the home. Of the lower-class wives, AA per

cent worked outside the home;

Of the middle-class teen-age boys and teen-age
girls; 6A per cent had part-time or summer Jobs.
Of the lower-class teen—age boys and teen—age

girls, 50 per cent had part-time or summer Jobs.

Education of Husbands

Fifty per cent of the middle-class husbands had
completed high school; and, A0 per cent completed four
years of college. None of the lower-class husbands
attended college. The majority (89 per cent) of lower-
class husbands had attended high school; of which approxi—

mately 39 per cent graduated.

Ages of Family Members

The majority of husbands and wives in both socio-
exxxnomic groups were between the ages of thirty-six and
fifty. Middle-class wives showed the greatest ranges

of ages; lower—class wives showed the least.

22

TABLE l.-—Education of husbands by socio—economic class.

Middle-Class Lower-Class

 

 

Education
N % N %

Post-college l A.55
College-A years 9 A0.91
College—l-3
High school—A years 11 50.00 7 38.88
High school-l-3

years 1 A.55 9 50.00
Elementary—8 years 1 5.56
Elementary-less

than 8 years 1 5.56

Total 22 100.00 18 100.00

 

TABLE 2.--Ages of husbands and wives by socio-economic
class.

 

Middle-Class Lower-Class

 

 

 

 

 

Ages
(Years) N % N %
Husbands
30—35
36-AO 6 27.27 3 17.65
Al-A5 6 27.27 7 Al.18
A6-50 7 31.82 5 29.A1
Over 50 3 13.6A 2 11.76
T Wives
30-35 2 9.09
36—A0 9 A0.9l 7 38.89
Al-A5 6 27.27 8 AA.AA
A6—50 3 13.6A 3 16.67
Over 50 2 9.09

23

Since the sample consisted of families of twelfth-
graders, the age ranges of the teen-age boys and teen-age
girls was restricted. However, in the sample, the majority
of boys were sixteen years of age; the majority of girls,;
seventeen. There were more teen—age boys in the sample

than teen-age girls.

TABLE 3.-—Ages of teen-age boys and teen-age girls by
socio-economic class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ages Middle—Class Lower-Class
(Years) N % N %
Teen-Age Boys
16 8 36.36 5 27.78
17 A 18.18 5 27.78
Teen-Age Girls
16 5 22.73 2 11.11
17 5 22.73 6 33.33

 

Years of Marriage

 

Only agreeing responses of both the husbands and
wives were used in the tabulations. One middle—class
couple and three lower-class couples did not agree on the

number of years married.

2A

The majority of couples in both socio-economic groups
indicated that they had been married sixteen to twenty-five

years.

TABLE A.——Years of marriage of husbands and wives by
socio—economic class.*

 

 

 

Middle—Class Lower—Class
Years
N % N %
16-20 11 52.38 7 A6.67
21-25 8 38.10 7 A6.67
26-30 1 A.76
31-35 1 A.76 1 6.66

 

*Based on agreeing responses of both spouses.

Religion of Family Members

 

The majority of middle-class husbands indicated that
they were members of the Roman Catholic Church; the majority
of lower-class husbands indicated that they were members of
no church. Eighteen per cent of the middle-class husbands
indicated no church membership.

Approximately 50 per cent of the middle-class wives
indicated membership in the Roman Catholic Church.
Approximately 33 per cent of the lower class wives indicated
membership in the Roman Catholic Church; and, approximately

39 per cent had indicated no church membership.

25

TABLE 5.--Religion of family members by socio-economic

class

 

Middle—Class

Lower-Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Religion
N % N %
Husbands

None A 18.18 9 50.00
Roman Catholic 11 50.00 A 22.22
Protestant 7 31.82 3 16.67
Jewish

Other 2 11.11

Wives

None 3 13.6A 7 38.89
Roman Catholic 12 5A.55 6 33.33
Protestant 7 31.82 3 16.67
Jewish

Other 2 11.11

Teen-age Boys and Teen-age Girls

None A 18.18 8 AA.AA
Roman Catholic 12 5A.55 6 33.33
Protestant 6 27.27 3 16.67
Jewish

Other 1 5.56

26

Comparisons of husbands and wives in both socio—
economic groups indicated that the percentages of husbands
who had indicated no church membership had not corresponded
to the percentages of wives who had indicated no church
membership, in each social class. The same was evidenced
in the percentages of membership in the Roman Catholic
Church. The percentage of husbands who had indicated
membership in the Protestant Church was the same as the
percentage of wives who had indicated Protestant Church
membership.

Over half (55 per cent) of middle—class teen-age boys
and teen-age girls indicated membership in the Roman Catholic
Church, as compared to 33 per cent of the lower-class teen-
age boys and girls. The majority (AA per cent) of the
lower-class teenagers indicated no church affiliation.

The sample consisted of families who had indicated
membership in either the Roman Catholic Church, the
Protestant Church, or no church. Only 11 per cent of the
lower-class families (husbands and wives) were members of
any other church. None of the families of the sample indi—
cated that they were of the Jewish religion.

The majority of middle-class and lower-class families
had attended church once a week or more. Although approxi-
mately 18 per cent of the middle—class families were
members of no church (see Table 5), only 1 per cent indi-
cated that they had never attended church. Although

50 per cent of the lower-class husbnads, and 38 per cent

27

TABLE 6.--Church attendance of family members by socio-

economic class.

 

Middle-Class

Lower—Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

N % N %

Husbands
Once a week or more 19 86.36 16 88.89
Once a month or more 2 9.09 l 5.56
Once a year or more 1 5.56
Never 1 A.55

Wives
Once a week or more 17 77.27 12 66.67
Once a month or more 1 A.55 3 16.67
Once a year or more 3 13.6A 3 16.67
Never 1 A.55
Teen-age Boys and Teen-age Girls

Once a week or more 17 77.27 13 72.22
Once a month or more 2 9.09 2 11.11
Once a year or more 2 9.09 2 11.11
Never 1 A.55 l 5.56

 

28

of the lower-class wives were members of no church (see
Table 5), none said that they had never attended church.
In both classes, husbands indicated more frequent
church attendance than their wives and their teen-age
sons or daughters.
The degree of church attendance of the teenagers

was similar for both classes.

Occupation of Family Members

 

Middle-class husbands were employed in predomi-.
nantly business, professional, and white-collar occupations.
Lower—class husbands had predominantly blue-collar jobs.

The majority (73 per cent) of middle-class wives were
not employed outside the home. Those who had worked, indi-
cated employment in white-collar occupations, primarily.

Of the lower—class wives, approximately 56 per cent were
not employed outside the home. Those who had worked, indi-
cated employment in business and white collar Jobs. None
of the wives in either class were employed in the profes-
sional field. None of the middle—class wives indicated
employment in the business field, although the majority of
middle-class husbands were employed in this field. Like-
wise, in the lower—class. Although the majority of lower-
class husbands were employed in bluewcollar occupations,
only 6 per cent of the lower-class wives were employed in
this field. The majority of working lower—class wives

were employed in business.

29

TABLE 7.-—Occupations of family members by socio-economic
class.

 

Middle-Class Lower-Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupation
N % N %
Husbands
Professional 5 22.73 1 5.56
Business 8 36.36 1 5.56
White Collar 5 22.73 1 5.56
Blue Collar A 18.18 3 77.76
Service 1 5.56
None
Wives
Professional
Business A 22.23
White Collar A 18.18 2 11.11
Blue Collar l A.55 l 5.56
Service 1 A.55 l 5.56
None 6 72.72 0 55.55
Teen-age Boys and Teen-age Gir1s*
Professional 1 5.55
Business 1 A.55
White Collar 2 9.09 l 5.55
Blue Collar 5 22.73 3 16.67
Service 6 27.27 A 22.23
None 8 36.36 9 50.00

 

*Part-time or summer work.

Thirty-six per cent of the middle-class teenagers,

as compared to 50 per cent of the lower-class teenagers,

were not employed outside the home.

and lower-class teenagers who had indicated outside

Of the middle-class

30

employment, the majority worked in service and blue collar

jobs.

TABLE 8.—-Working hours of family members by socio-economic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

class.
Hours Per Middle-Class Lower—Class
Week N % N %
Husbands

A9 or more A 18.19 A 25.00
Al—A8 10 A5.A5 8 50.00
33-A0 8 36.36 A 25.00
25.32
l7—2A
9-16
1-8
None

Wives
A9 or more 10 A5.A5 10 55.56
A1-A8
33-AO 3 13.6A 3 16.67
25.32
l7-2A l 5.56
9-16 2 9.09 2 11.11
1—8 1 A.55
None 6 27.27 2 11.11

Teen-age Boys and Teen-age Girls

A9 or more 6 27.27 7 38.89
A1—A8 2 9.09
33-A0 3 13.64 3 16.67
25-32 3 13.6A
l7—2A 6 27.27
9-16 1 5.56
1-8 1 A.55 2 11.11
None 1 A.55 5 27.78

 

31

The majority of middle-class and lower-class hus—
bands indicated over forty working hours per week.

The majority of middle-class and lower-class wives
indicated that they worked forty-nine or more hours per
week. However, as reported in the previous table (see
Table 7), l6 middle-class wives and 10 lower—class wives
indicated no employment outside the home; yet, only 6
middle—class wives and 2 lower-class wives indicated no
hours working outside the home. The discrepancies may
have been due to some explanations which had been given
on the instruments. Some wives indicated that these
working hours referred to Jobs done at home, such as,
babysitting. It may be hypothesized that the discrepancies
were also due to a misinterpretation of the question. The
wives may have included hours working in the home in the
daily care of the home and family.

Only 5 per cent of the middle—class teenagers indi-
cated no working hours; as compared to 28 per cent of the
lower-class teenagers. Middle-class teenagers indicated
working a range of forty-nine or more hours per week to a
minimum of seventeen hours per week. The majority of
lower-class teenagers worked forty-nine or more hours per
week. It was not known whether these figures represented
summer jobs, or part-time jobs at which they worked during
the school year. Discrepancies among responses reported
in Table 7 and in Table 8 were evidenced for teenagers in

both socio—economic groups.

CHAPTER V
FINDINGS

Household Task Activities

The predominant structure of family management that
existed for both socio-economic groups in the area of
household task activities was autonomy; specifically, wife

autonomy and husband autonomy.

Autonomous Structures

Wife autonomous structures predominated in both
socio-economic groups. Wife autonomy in over A0 per cent
of the household task activities was reported by 32 per cent
of the middle—class families and 39 per cent of the lower-
class families. In one lower—class family over 60 per cent
of the household task activities were exclusively decided
by and implemented by the wife.

Husband-autonomy was reported by both socio-economic
groups for up to 26 per cent of the activities. Of the
middle—class families, 95 per cent reported husband
autonomy in up to 26 per cent of the household task

activities. Of the lower—class families, 89 per cent

32

33

reported husband autonomy in up to 26 per cent of the

activities.

One lower-class family reported husband

autonomy for 28-38 per cent of the activities.

reported in household task activities.

In the middle-class, no teen-age autonomy was

In the lower-

class, one family reported autonomy for the teen-age

boy in up to 13 per cent of the household task activities.

Three lower-class families indicated autonomy for the

teen—age girl in up to 13 per cent of the activities.

TABLE 9.-—Autonomous structures of family management in
household task activities by socio-economic class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number and Per- Teen-Age Teen—Age
centage of Wife Husband Boy Girl
Activities

N % N N % N % N %
Middle-Class
1- 5 3-13 1 A.55 1A 63.65
6-10 15-26 5 22.73 7 31.83

11-15 28-38 7 31.83

16-20 Al-51 7 31.83

21-25 5A-6A

26-39 66-100

Lower-Class
l- 5 3-13 11 61.12 1 5.56 3 16.68
6-10 15-26 7 38.90 5 27.79

ll-15 28-38 3 16.68 1 5.56

16-20 Al-51 6 33.3A

21-25 5A-6A 1 5.56

25-39

66-100

 

3A

Autocratic Structures

 

Wife-autocratic and husband-autocratic structures

were reported in both socio-economic groups by approxi-
mately 50 per cent of the families in up to 13 per cent
of the household task activities. Middle-class wives
tended to be more autocratic than lower-class wives. A
total of 95 per cent of the middle-class families and 67
per cent of the lower—class families reported wife-

autocratic structures in household task activities.

TABLE 10.-—Autocratic structures of family management in
household task activities by socio-economic class.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number and Per- Teen-Age Teen-Age
centage of Wife Husband Boy Girl
Activities

N % N % N % N % N %
Middle-Class

1-5 3-13 3 59.09 13 59.09

6-10 15-26 6 27.28 2 9.09

ll-15 28-38 2 9.09

16—20 Al—5l

21-25 5A-6A

26-39 66—100

Lower-Class
1-5 3-13 9 50.00 11 61.12 1 5.56
6-10 15-26 3 16.67

11-15 28-38

l6-20 Al-51

21-25 5A-6A

26-39

66-100

 

35

Of the middle-class husbands, 68 per cent auto-
cratically managed up to 26 per cent of the activities in
this area. Of the lower-class husbands, 61 per cent man—
aged autocratically in up to 13 per cent of the household
task activities.

With the exception of one lower-class family, there
were no autocratic structures reported for teen-age boys

nor for teen-age girls in both socio—economic classes.

Syncratic Structures

Joint decision—making was reported by Al per cent of
the middle-class families and 39 per cent of the lower-
class families for up to 13 per cent of the household task
activities. One lower-class family reported joint decision—
making in 28—38 per cent of the household task activities.

TABLE ll.-—Syncratic structures of family management in
household task activities by socio—economic class.

 

Number and Per-
centage of

 

 

Activities Middle—Class Lower—Class
N=39
1-5 3-13 9 AO.9O 7 38.39
6-10 15-26
11—15 28-38 1 5.56
16-20 Al—5l
21-25 5A-6A

26-39 66-100

36

It was hypothesized that in the area of household
task activities, middle-class families would have auto-
nomous structures; and, lower-class families would have
autonomous and autocratic structures. Autonomous
structures—-Specifically, wife autonomy—-predominated in
both socio-economic groups. Autocratic structures were
more evidenced in middle-class families than in lower-
class families as had been hypothesized.

Household task activities tended to be managed
autonomously or autocratically by the wives in both socio—
economic groups. The husbands tended to manage a relatively
small percentage (up to 13 per cent) of the household task
activities. In both socio—economic groups, the percentage
of household task activities jointly decided by various
members of the families had not exceeded 13 per cent.
There was little teen—age involvement in decision—making
in the area of household task activities. Therefore, the

hypothesis was only partially supported.

Family Care Activities

 

Wife autonomy and syncratic structures were the pre-
dominant structures of management in both socio-economic

groups in the area of family care activities.

Autonomous Structures
Middle-class and lower-class wives tended to manage

autonomously in caring for family members. Wife autonomy

37

was reported by 36 per cent of the middle-class families
and 39 per cent of the lower—class families for A3-1OO
per cent of the activities in this area.

Husband autonomy was evidenced in both groups for
up to 36 per cent of the activities. In the middle-class,
36 per cent of the families reported husband autonomy for
up to 36 per cent of the activities. In the lower-class,
39 per cent of the families reported husband autonomy in
up to 36 per cent of the activities.

No autonomy was reported for teen-age boys nor for
teen—age girls in family care activities in either group.

TABLE l2.——Autonomous structures of family management in
family care activities by socio—economic class.

 

 

Number and Per- Teen-Age Teen-Age
centage of Wife Husband Boy Girl
Activities

N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle-Class

 

1-5 7-36 12 5A.A6 8 36.36
6—10 A3—7l 7 31.83
ll-IA 79-100 1 A.55

 

Lower-Class

 

1-5 7-36 10 55.55 7 38.90
6-10 A3-7l 6 33.33
ll—IA 79—100 1 5.56

 

38

Autocratic Structures

The number of family care activities managed auto-
cratically in both socio-economic groups had not exceeded
36 per cent. A comparison of wives in both groups indi-
cated that lower-class wives tended to be slightly more
autocratic than middle-class wives in family care activi-
ties. In the middle—class families, Al per cent of the
wives managed 36 per cent of the activities autocratically.
In the lower—class families, 56 per cent of the wives
managed 36 per cent of the activities autocratically.

TABLE l3.——Autocratic structures of family management in
family care acitvities by socio-economic class.

 

 

Number and Per— Wife Husband Teen-Age Teen-Age
centage of Boy Girl
Activities

N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle—Class

 

1-5 7—36 9 A0.92 3 13.65
6-10 A3-71
ll-lA 79-100

 

Lower-Class

 

1—5 7-36 10 55.55 7 38.90
6-10 A3-71
11-1A 79-100

 

39

A comparison of husbands in both socio—economic
groups indicated that more lower-class husbands managed
autocratically than middle-class husbands in 36 per cent
of the family care activities. Husband autocracy in up to
36 per cent of the activities was reported by 39 per cent
of the lower—class families as compared to 1A per cent of
the middle-class families.

No autocratic structures were reported for teen-age
boys nor for teen—age girls in family care activities in

both socio-economic groups.

Syncratic Structures

 

Joint decision—making relative to family care activi-
ties was evidenced in both socio—economic groups for over
A3 per cent of the family care activities. In the middle-
class 27 per cent of the families, and, in the lower-class
22 per cent of the families reported joint decision-making
for over A3 per cent of the family care activities.
Syncratic structures of family management were reported by
a total of 77 per cent of the middle—class families and 56
per cent of the lower-class families, indicating that
middle-class families managed more of the family care
activities syncratically than lower—class families.

It was hypothesized that in the area of family care
activities, middle—class families would have autonomous
structures, and lower-class families would have autocratic
structures. Wife autonomy and syncratic structures re-

spectively predominated in both groups.

A0

TABLE lA.——Syncratic structures of family management in
family care activities by socio-economic class.

 

Number and Per—

 

centage of Middle-Class Lower Class
Activities
N % N % N %
1-5 7-36 11 50.00 6 33.33
6-10 A3-71 6 27.28 3 16.67
ll-lA 79-100 1 5.56

 

Wives in both socio—economic groups tended to decide
the family care activities by themselves and to implement
these decisions themselves. Few decisions were made auto-
cratically by the wives.

Husbands in both socio-economic groups managed a
relatively small percentage of family care activities
autonomously or autocratically.

In both groups, a relatively large percentage of
activities were managed syncratically. It was not deter-
mined which family members were involved in these joint
decisions.

There was little to no evidence of teen-age involve—
ment in the management of family care activities in both

socio-economic groups.

Al

Economic Activities

 

Wife autonomy and husband autonomy were the pre—
dominant structures of family management reported for both

socio—economic groups in the area of economic activities.

Autonomous Structures

 

Wife autonomy and husband autonomy predominated in
both socio—economic groups in the area of economic activi—
ties. Of the middle—class families, 27 per cent of the
wives and 1A per cent of the husbands autonomously managed
A3—7l per cent of the economic activities. Of the lower-
class families, AA per cent of the wives and 6 per cent of
the husbands autonomously managed A3—7l per cent of the
economic activities.

Husband autonomy and wife autonomy, respectively,
predominated in a smaller percentage of the economic
activities (up to 36 per cent) for both socio-economic
groups. Husbands in both groups managed more activities in
this percentage range than wives managed autonomously. Of
the middle-class families, 68 per cent of the husbands and
59 per cent of the wives managed autonomously in up to 36
per cent of the economic activities. Of the lower-class
families, 72 per cent of the husbands and 50 per cent of
the wives managed autonomously in up to 36 per cent of the
economic activities.

No teen—age autonomous structures were reported in
either socio-economic group in the area of economic

activities.

A2

TABLE l5.--Autonomous structures of family management in
economic activities by socio-economic class.

 

 

Number and Per- . Teen-Age Teen-Age
centage of Wife Husband Boy Girl
Activities

N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle—Class

 

1-5 7—36 13 59.09 15 68.19
6-10 43-71 6 27.28 3 13.64
11-1u 79-100

 

Lower-Class

 

1-5 7-36 9 50.00 13 72.2A
6—10 A3—7l 8 AA.A6 l 5.56
ll-lA 79-100

 

Autocratic Structures

Wife autocratic and husband autocratic structures
were reported in both socio-economic groups but for pre-
dominantly up to 36 per cent of the economic activities.
In the middle-class, 50 per cent of the wives and 36 per
cent of the husbands autocratically managed up to 36 per
cent of the economic activities. In the lower-class, 61
per cent of the wives and 56 per cent of the husbands
autocratically managed up to 36 per cent of the economic
activities. One middle-class family reported husband
autocratic structure for A3—71 per cent of the economic

activities.

A3

Comparison of wives in both socio-economic groups
for up to 36 per cent of the economic activities indicated
that lower—class wives tended to be more autocratic than
middle-class wives in the area of economic activities.
Comparison of husbands in both socio-economic groups for
up to 36 per cent of the activities indicated that lower-
class husbands tended to be more autocratic than middle—
class husbands in the area of economic activities.

Teen-age autocratic structures were reported by
one middle-class family indicating autocratic structures
for the teen-age boy in up to 36 per cent of the economic
activities. One lower—class family reported autocratic
structures for the teen—age girl in up to 36 per cent of
the economic activities.

TABLE l6.--Autocratic structures of family management in
economic activities by socio-economic class.

 

 

Number and Per- Wife Husband Teen—Age Teen—Age
centages of Boy Girl
Activities

N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle—Class

 

1-5 7-36 11 50.00 8 36.37 1 A.55
6-10 A3-71 1 A.55
11-1A 79-100

 

Lower-Class

 

1-5 7-36 11 61.11 10 55.56 1 5.56
6-10 A3-71
11-1A 79-100

 

AA

Syncratic Structures

Joint decision-making was reported by 6A per cent
of the middle-class families and 61 per cent of the lower-
class families for up to 36 per cent of the economic
activities. One lower—class family reported syncratic
structures for A3-71 per cent of the economic activities.

TABLE l7.--Syncratic structures of family management in
economic activities by socio—economic class.

 

Number and Per—

 

AggiiIiiS: Middle—Class Lower-Class
N % N % N %
1-5 7-36 ' 1A 63.66 11 61.12
6—10 A3-7l 1 5.56

ll-lA 79-100

 

It was hypothesized that in the area of economic
activities middle-class families would have syncratic
structures, and lower—class families would have autonomous
structures. All three managerial structures--autonomous,
autocratic and syncratic—-were evidenced in both groups.
The structures that predominated in most of the families
for most of the economic activities, however, was wife
autonomy and husband autonomy. There was little teen—age
involvement in the management of economic activities in
both socio-economic groups. The hypothesis, therefore,

was partially supported.

A5

Social Activities

 

Husband autocratic and wife autocratic structures,
and syncratic structures predominated in both socio-

economic groups in the area of social activities.

Autonomous Structures

 

Autonomy in up to 36 per cent of the social activi-
ties was reported by middle-class-and lower-class families
for all family members. In the middle—class, 23 per cent
of the wives, 32 per cent of the husbands, 5 per cent of
the teen-age boys, and 5 per cent of the teen-age girls
exclusively decided and implemented up to 36 per cent of
the social activities. In the lower—class, 33 per cent of
the wives, 33 per cent of the husbands, 6 per cent of the
teen-age boys, and 11 per cent of the teen—age girls ex-
clusively decided and implemented up to 36 per cent of the
social activities.

A comparison of husbands and wives in both socio-
economic groups indicated that more middle—class husbands
managed autonomously than middle-class wives. In the lower-
class, 33 per cent of the husbands, and 33 per cent of the
wives autonomously managed up to 36 per cent of the social
activities.

Teen-age autonomous structures were reported by
families in both socio-economic groups for up to 36 per
cent of the social activities. One middle—class family

and one lower-class family reported autonomy for the

A6

teen—age boys. One middle-class family and two lower—

class families reported autonomy for the teen-age girls.

TABLE 18.--Autonomous structures of family management in
social activities by socio-economic class.

 

 

Number and Per- Teen-Age Teen-Age
centage of Wife Husband Boy Girl
Activities
N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle-Class

 

1-5 7—36 5 22.7A“ 7 31.83 I A.55 l A.55
6—10 A3-7l
ll-lA 79-100

 

Lower—Class

 

1-5 7-36 6 33.33 6 33.33 I 5.56 2 11.11
6-10 A3—7l
ll—lA 79-100

 

Autocratic Structures

In both groups, wife autocratic and husband autocratic
structures predominated. The majority of autocratic activi-
ties in both groups was reported for up to 36 per cent of
the social activities.

Comparisons of autocratic structures for A3-7l per
cent of the social activities revealed that 18 per cent of
the middle-class families had husband autocratic structures
and 9 per cent had wife autocratic structures in social

activities. Eleven per cent of the lower-class families

A7

had husband autocratic structures, and 11 per cent had
wife autocratic structures for A3-7l per cent of the
social activities. Husbands and wives in both groups
tended to manage social activities autocratically, about
equally.

No teen—age autocratic structures were reported by
middle—class families. One lower-class family reported
some autocracy for the teen-age boy.

TABLE l9.--Autocratic structures of family management in
social activities by socio-economic class.

 

Number and Per- Teen-Age Teen-Age

Wife Husband

 

centage of Boy Girl
Activities
N % N % N % N % N %

 

Middle—Class

 

1-5 7-36 13 59.09 11 50.00
6-10 A3—7l 2 9.10 A 18.18
ll-lA 79-100

 

Lower-Class

 

1-5 7-36 11 61.11 10 55.56 1 5.56
6—10 A3-7l 2 11.11 2 11.11
ll-IA 79-100

 

Syncratic Structures
Joint decision-making in social activities was re-
ported by a total of 6A per cent of the middle—class

families and 67 per cent of the lower-class families.

A8

For up to 36 per cent of the social activities,
joint decision—making was reported by 23 per cent of the
middle—class families and 50 per cent of the lower-class
families.

For A3-7l per cent of the social activities, Joint
decision-making was reported by 36 per cent of the middle-
class families and 17 per cent of the lower—class families.
One middle-class family reported joint decision-making in
79-100 per cent of the social activities.

The majority of middle-class families had syncratic
structures for A3-7l per cent of the social activities.
The majority of lower-class families had syncratic struc—
tures for up to 36 per cent of the social activities.

TABLE 20.—-Syncratic structures of family management in
social activities by socio-economic class.

 

Number and Per—
centage of

 

Activities Middle-Class Lower Class

N % N % N %
,1-5 7-36 5 22.7A 9 50.00
6-10 A3—71 8 36.37 3 16.68
ll-lA 79-100 1 A.55

 

It was hypothesized that in the area of social
activities, middle-class families would have syncratic

structures, and lower—class families would have autonomous

A9

structures. Husband autocratic and wife autocratic struc—
tures, and syncratic structures predominated in both socio-
economic groups. Autonomous structures existed for a
relatively small number of families and for a relatively
small number of activities. The hypothesis, therefore,

was partially supported.

Husband autocratic structures and syncratic struc—
tures predominated in the middle—class in social activities.
Wife autocratic, husband autocratic, and syncratic struc-
tures predominated in the lower—class in social activities.
Teen-age autonomy and autocracy was reported by a relatively
small percentage of families in the area of social activi-

ties.

Predominant Structures

Different structures of family management were evi-
denced in each of the four areas researched. The general
hypothesis that middle—class and lower-class families
would have different structures of family management in
each of four areas was not supported. No differences
existed between the groups in the structures of family
management that existed in each area. Both groups managed
similarly in each of the four areas.' Specifically, the
findings indicated that:

(l) in the area of household task activities,

middle—class and lower-class families had

wife autonomous structures;

50

(2) in the area of family care activities, middle-

class and lower-class families had wife auto-

nomous, and syncratic structures;

(3) in the area of economic activities, middle-

class and lower-class families had wife auto-

nomous and husband autonomous structures; and,

(A) in the area of social activities, middle-class

and lower—class families had husband autocratic

and wife autocratic structures, and syncratic

structures.

TABLE 21.—-Predominant structures of family management in
four areas of family activities by socio-economic group.

 

 

Activities
Socio- Household Family Care Economic Social
Economic Tasks
Class
Middle . Wife Wife Wife Husband
Autonomy Autonomy Autonomy Autocratic
Syncratic Husband Wife
Autonomy Autocratic
Syncratic
Lower Wife Wife Wife Wife
Autonomy Autonomy Autonomy Autocratic
Syncratic Husband Husband
Autonomy Autocratic

Syncratic

 

51

Statistical Tests of Correlation

Statistical tests of correlation were used to deter-
mine the relationship between middle—class and lower-class
family management in each of the four areas studied.
Syncratic, autonomous, and autocratic structures reported
by families in both groups for each of the four areas were
tested to determine the relationship between middle-class
family management and lower-class family management. A
t-test of correlation was used because the sub-samples were
of unequal size, independent of each other, and each repre—
sented less than thirty families. The values of t at the
5 per cent and the l per cent levels of significance were
used to measure the strength of the relationship. Test
results revealed no significant correlation between middle—
class and lower-class families at either level. Therefore,
it was concluded that the data had not offered sufficient

enough evidence for rejecting or accepting the hypothesis.

TABLE 22.-—Values of t in structures of family management

 

 

 

by areas of family activities. df = 38
Structures of Household Family
Family Management Task Care Economic 800131
Wife autonomy —0.9 -0.3 -l.3 -l.A
Husband autonomy 0.A 0.0 1.8 0.7
Teen—age boy
autonomy -l.l 0.0 0.0 0.3
Teen—age girl
autonomy —l.8 0.0 0.0 —0 8
Wife autocracy 1.8 0.6 -0.7 -l.l
Husband autocracy 1.A —O.8 —0.2 0.3
Teen-age boy
autocracy 0.0 0.0 0 9 -l.l
Teen-age girl
autocracy —l.1 0.0 —l.1 0.0
Syncratic —l.5 0.A -0.A 1.5
Notes: The critical value of t was approximately

2.02 at the .05 level of significance, and 2.7 at the .01
level of significance.

It was reported in the findings that within each
area of family living studied some family members were not
involved in the management of that area. In order to aid
in the interpretation of the statistics given in Table 22,
these findings were repeated.

In the area of household task activities, middle—
class families reported no autonomous nor autocratic
structures for teen-age boys nor for teen-age girls.
Lower-class families reported no teen-age boy autocratic
structures for household task activities.

In the area of family care activities, both middle—
class families and lower-class families reported no auto—
nomous nor autocratic structures for teen—age boys nor for
teen-age girls.

In the area of economic activities, both middle-class

53

Limitations of the Study

 

Few controls were used to guarantee that the question-
naire test items were completed by each respondent inde-
pendently. Upon distribution of the instrument, each family
was instructed by the interviewer to complete the test items
without discussion with one another. This same directive
appeared on the instrument.

When the questionnaires were collected, those families
asked about their procedures for completing the instrument
stated that they had not discussed the test items, initially.
Some stated that they had compared answers after all re-
spondents had completed the questions, but, that no answers
had been changed. However, no further controls were used.

In order to determine the decision-makers and the
decision-implementers in each family, it was necessary to
rely upon the memory of each person interviewed. Most
activities involved a past occurrence for which each person
was asked to identify who was involved in deciding who
would do each task, and to recall who actually had done

the task. Although only agreeing responses among family

 

families and lower-class families reported no autonomous
structures for teen—age boys nor for teen—age girls.
Middle-class families reported no teen-age girl autocracy,
and lower-class families reported no teen-age boy auto-
cracy in economic activities.

In the area of social activities, middle—class
families reported no autocracy for the teen—age boy nor
for the teen-age girl. Lower-class families reported no
teen-age girl autocracy in social activities.

members were tabulated, the responses reflected only the
memories of the respondents.

In the analyses of syncratic structures, determi-
nation of which family members were involved in the joint
decisions was not made. Syncratic decisions were deter—
mined on the basis of numbers only; that is, any activity
decided by two or more family members constituted a
syncratic structure of management. Which family members
were involved in making this decision was not identified

in the analyses.

CHAPTER VI

CONCLUSIONS

Structures of Family Management

Findings indicated that different structures of
family management existed for each of the four areas of
family living researched; and, that the two socio—
economic groups surveyed tended to manage similarly in
each of these areas. Little difference was found to
exist between the groups as to the involvement of family
members in decision—making and decision-implementing in
the home. Since socio-economic class was found to be of
no significance in determining family management struc—
tures, it might be questioned whether the area of family
living was significant. Further research would be needed
to determine the relationship between structures of family
management and areas of family living.

This study was concerned with the relationship of
social status to structures of family management. The
relationship of other factors, such as, religion, years
of marriage, and various stages of the family life cycle

to the structures of family management was not determined.

55

56

Further research would be needed in determining the sig-
nificance between any one of the mentioned factors and
structures of family management.

In this study, the sample represented families
from an Eastern suburban community. Further research of
other suburban communities, as well as, urban and rural
communities would be needed to substantiate the findings
presented here.

Likewise, only two classes of families were sur-
veyed. A supplementary study of upper-class families
would be needed.

Since different structures emerged for each area,
it may be concluded that various structures may co-exist
in any one given family. Since each area was managed
differently, a study of one family's total home manage-
ment might reveal the existence of all three structures;
and, it might be impossible to classify any one family as
being representative of one type of structure. Therefore,
in the teaching of home management or in the aiding of
families in the management of their homes, the home
economist should be made aware of all three structures;
be made aware that all three structures might possibly
exist simultaneously in any one family; and, should study
each area being managed as a separate entity, having some
means of identifying the decision-makers and the decision-

implementers in each area. Knowing the social class to

 

 

 

57

which the family belonged might not be an indication of
the type of management structure(s) likely to be found
in each area.

Family Involvement in Managing
the Home

 

The findings indicated that, for the families sur—
veyed, the management of the home in the four areas
studied was the husbands' and wives' domain, with little to
no teen—age involvement.

Wives in both socio—economic groups were involved in
managing each area studied, and tended to dominate the
household task activities and family care activities. The
findings indicated that the wives in both groups were highly
involved in managing the home.

Husbands in both socio-economic groups were involved
in managing economic and social activities primarily, and
tended to dominate slightly in the latter area. However,
findings indicated involvement of the husbands in both
classes in all four areas.

Results indicated little involvement of teen—age boys
and teen—age girls in the management of the home in both
socio—economic groups. Reasons for this lack of involve—
ment were not determined in this research.

However, as noted earlier, the determination of
which family members were involved in the joint decisions

was not made. Further research of the syncratic structures

58

in each area would have identified the specific family
members involved in making the decision(s).

Since all areas were managed by husbands and wives,
teaching home management (specifically individual decision-
making and joint decision—making) to teen—age boys and
teen—age girls; as well as, married men and women would
be justified as a preparation for family life and home
management. Since middle—class and lower—class husbands
surveyed for this study reported much involvement in the
areas of family care activities, economic activities, and
social activities, management in these three areas might
be taught to husbands in adult education classes. Since
the area of household task activities was managed pre—
dominantly by the wives surveyed, management in this area
might be taught to wives in adult education classes.

Home management extension bulletins in each of the four
areas of family living studied might be prepared specifi-
cally for husbands or wives or both. Areas of family
living shown by this study to be managed syncratically
(family care activities and social activities) might be
written for both husbands and wives.

Further Research in Family

Involvement in Home
Management

 

 

It may be questioned whether the respondents were
able to isolate and identify the decision—makers and the

decision-implementers in each activity given. The use of

59

a technique or an instrument, other than the questionnaire,
to determine family involvement in decision-making and
decision-implementing would offer further substantiation
of these findings or a rebuttal. A long—range, obser-
vational study of family decision-making and decision—

implementing procedures would be a suggested technique.

Areas of Family Living

 

Various structures emerged for each of the four areas
studied. Comparisons of these four areas indicated that
for both socio-economic groups usually one family member-—
either the husband or wife—-made the decision. Also, in
both groups, families tended to function autonomously in
household task and economic activities. Joint decision-
making predominated only in social activities and family
care activities.

The area of social activities was the only area not
managed autonomously by any one family member. Husbands
and wives made most of the decisions in this area, but
either in an autocratic or syncratic way.

Further research of other middle—class and lower—
Class families from other geographical areas would be needed
to substantiate these findings.

Also, an in-depth study of one particular area would
Offer further insight into how this area was managed and
by Whom. Predominant structures for larger numbers and

Classes of families would be determined.

LITERATURE CITED

60

10.

LITERATURE CITED

Blood, Robert 0., and Wolfe, Donald M. Husbands and
Wives. Illinois: The Free Press of Glencoe, 1960.

 

Ferber, Robert. On the reliability of responses secured
in sample surveys. J. of Amer. Stat. Asso., 50
(September, 1955), pp. 788-810.

Gross, Irma. Home management of working and non—working
homemakers with young children. Mich. Ag. Exper. Sta.
B111. NO. 37’ 1955, pp. 32u-33uo

Herbst, P. G. The measurement of family relationship.
Human Relations, 5 (1952), pp. 3-35.

 

Johannis, Theodore B. The adolescent's view of father
roles in relation to socio-economic class (unpublished
Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Sociology, Florida
State University, 1955).

Johannis, Theodore B. Participation by fathers, mothers
and teenage sons and daughters in selected social
activity. The Coordinator, 7 (2), pp. 2A—25.

 

Johannis, Theodore B., and Rollins, James M. Teenager
perception of family decision-making about social
activity. Family Life Coordinator, 8 (3), pp. 59-60.

 

Johannis, Theodore B., and Rollins, James M. Teenager
perception of family decision—making. The Coordinator,

7 ()4), pp° 70-7”.

Kenkel, William. Observational studies of husband-wife
interaction in family decision-making. Sourcebook in
Marriage and the Family, ed. Marvin B. Sussman.
Boston: Houghlin-Mifflin Co., 1963, pp. 1AA—156.

 

 

Komarovsky, Mirra. Class differences in family decision—
making on expenditures. Sourcebook in Marriage and the
Family, ed. Marvin B. Sussman. Boston: Houghlin-
Mifflin Co., 1963, pp. 261—266.

61

ll.

l2.

13.

1A.

15.

62

McGuire, Carson, and White, George D. The measurement
of social status. Research Paper in Human Develop—
ment Number 3 (rev.), University of Texas (Dept. of
Educational Psychology, 1955).

McKinley, Donald G. Social Class and Family Life.
New York: The Free Press of Glencoe, 196A; pp. 118-
151.

Nichols, Adreen. Person-centered and.task-centered
styles of organization. (unpublished Ph.D. disserta—
tion, Dept. of Home Management and Child Development,
Michigan State University, 196A).

Wilkening, Eugene A., and Morrison,.Denton E. Comparisons
of husband and wife responses concerning who makes
farm and home decisions. Marriage and Family Living,
(August. 1963). pp. 3A9—351.

Wolgast, Elizabeth H. Economic decisions in the family.
J. of Marketing, 23 (October, 1958), pp. 151—158.

 

APPENDICES

63

APPENDIX A

6A

 

INSTRUMENT TO SOLICIT QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS

A STUDY IN FAMILY LIVING

We are asking your cooperation in helping to develop an under-
standing of contemporary American families and their.manage-
ment. In studying family management, we need to know what
activities members perform in maintaining the home. Below

are some questions that we need answered. Please help us

by answering these questions as completely as possible.

Loretta A. Onorato
Dept. of Home Management and Child Development
Michigan State University

Circle One: Male Female
Your age:

Number in your family

(Total number living with you)

 

Part I

In the course of daily living, every family engages in certain
Jobs or activities. As a member of a family, list below the
activities carried out by members of your household. It is
not necessary to indicate who does each task, merely to tell
what you or some other member of your family actually do in
each of the following areas:

List 10 activities in each area. If you cannot, list as many
as possible.

A. Jobs done around the house by anyone in your family include:
1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

10)

65

66

Jobs or activities which center around taking care of
children in the family include:

1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Jobs or activities concerning earning or spending money
are:

l)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)

9)
10)

 

67

Activities which you or your family participate in with
friends, relative or neighbors include:

1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)

9)
10)

68

Part II

Usually within a family every member has certain jobs for
which he is mainly responsible. For each family member given
below, indicate those Jobs for which members of your family
are responsible. Include the daily activities as well as

any occasional ones.

Examples:

Mother-—prepares my father's breakfast every morning.
Makes school lunches.
Father--empties the garbage._ Works five days a week.
Myself--clean my bedroom on Saturdays. Word on.Saturday
or Sunday.
Other-—(my younger sister) helps wash and dry dinner
dishes.
A. My mother's jobs usually include:
1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

B. My father's jobs usually include:
1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

10)

69

My jobs usually include:
1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Other members of my family are usually responsible for:
(please name these members)

1)
2)
3)
A)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
IO)

APPENDIX B

70

A STUDY IN FAMILY LIVING*

We are asking your cooperation in helping to deve10p
an understanding of today's families and their management.
In studying family management, we need to know what activities
members perform in maintaining the home; as well as knowing
who makes the decisions as to how the home is run.

Below are some questions that need answering. Some
concern you personally; others concern your family life
situation. Please answer all questions as completely as
possible. Do NOT DISCUSS ANY ANSWER WITH ANYONE WHILE
COMPLETING THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. It is important that each
answer be your gwn answer, as ygu see it. All answers will
be treated as highly confidential in the analyses made in
this study.

 

 

Place a check mark (/) next to each appropriate answer:
1.) I am: (check one) ' (8)

(l) father
(2) mother
(3) teenage boy

(A) teenage girl

 

 

(5) other (please name)
2.) My age last birthday was: (9, 10)
years

Questions #3 and A are for father and mother only to answer.
Teenager please go on to question #5.

3.) Number of years I have been married are: (ll, 12)
years

A.) Number of states in which I have lived since my marriage:
states (13, 1A)

 

*Adapted from: Johannis, Theodore B., "The Adolescent's
View of Father Roles in Relation to Socio-Economic Status,"
Florida State University, 1955.

71

5.)

6

7.

8

.)

)

.)

72
Since I was born I have lived most
of the time: (15)
(0) on a farm

(1) in the open country but my parents
were not farmers

(2) in a town

(3) in a city

 

I am a member of: (16)

(0) no church

(1) a Roman Catholic Church

(2) a Jewish synagogue

(3) a Protestant Church

(A) other religious group
Name of Protestant Church or other
religious group if a member:

(17)

I attend church: (18)

 

(0) once a week or more

(1) once a month or more, but not more
than four times a month

(2) once a year or more, but not more
than twelve times a year

(3) never

 

A study of the United States shows that in

this country there are three major social
classes--the UPPER, the MIDDLE, and the LOWER.

In which of these social classes would you say
your family belongs? (19)

(0) Upper

 

(1) Middle

(2) Lower

9.)

10.)

11.)

12.)

13.)

1A.)

73

What do you think is your position in

that class? (20)
(0) Upper
(1) Middle
(2) Lower
My occupation is: (if you work) (21, 22)

 

Describe the type of work you do fully:

 

I work for money: (23)
(0) A9 hours and over a week
_____ (l) Al—A8 hours a week
(2) 33-A0 hours a week
(3) 25-32 hours a week
(A) l7-2A hours a week
(5) 9—16 hours a week
(6) 1-8 hours a week

(7) none at all

 

The total number of people now living in
our house is: (2A)

 

Persons who now live with our family other
than father, mother, teenagers and children

 

 

 

are: (please give relationship; such as,
husband's mother or wife's brother, etc.) (25, 26)
Our family: (27)

(0) rents its home or apartment
(1) owns its home, and is still paying for it

(2) owns its home free and clear

15.)

16.)

17.)

7A

Our family lives in a: (28)

__ (0)
(1)
<2)
(3)
(u)

 

one family dwelling
two family dwelling
three family dwelling
four family dwelling

five or more family dwelling

Our family lives in: (29)

(O)
(l)
(2)

(3)
(A)
(5)
(6)

 

the very best part of town or an
exclusive part of town

a new section of town or the next
best part of town

a good area of town that has a few
business places in it

a business area
a mill or factory area
a very poor area

in the country or on a farm

Our family lives in a: (30)

______(O)
(l)
(2)
(3)

(A)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

small house or apartment in good
condition or lives over a store

small house or apartment in average
condition

small house or apartment in poor
condition

medium house or apartment in good
condition

a medium house in average condition

medium house or apartment in poor condition
large house or apartment in good condition
large house or apartment in average condition

large house or apartment in poor condition

18.)

19.)

20.)

The main source of our family's income is:

(O)

 

 

(l)
(2)

(3)

(A)
(5)

(6)

75

(31)

wages, hourly wages, piece work,
weekly checks

salary, monthly or bimonthly checks

profits and fees from a business or
profession

savings and investments earned or
inherited

odd jobs, share cropping, seasonal work

public welfare, aid to dependent children,
stipends from private agencies

social security benefits

Our family's income last year was: (32)
_____ (0) $lA,000 and over
______(l) $12,000 - $13,999
_____ (2) $10,000 — $11,999
_____ (3) $8,000 - $9,999
__ (A) $6,000 — $7.999
______(5) $A,000 - $5,999
______ (6) $2,000 - $3,999
(7) Under $2,000
How sure are you that the amount checked above
is correct? (33)

(0) very sure
(1) fairly sure

(2) not at all sure

21.)

76

Generally, decisions in our family are
made by: (3“)

 

(0) father
(1) mother
(2) father and mother about equally

(3) family council-—parents and children
talk things over together

(A) teenagers (ages 12-19)
(5) children (ages under 11)

(6) no one

 

PLEASE CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

77

Here is a list of home activities. In the boxes below,
place a check mark ( ) below each person who usually does
each activity. Check aii persons who do each task given.
Please read over the list of persons before you start to
check the boxes.

 

CODE: No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen—age boy

Teen—age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family

Someone other than family

0
l
2
3
A
5
6
7

 

Activity 0 l 2 3 A 5 6 7

 

1. Who sets the breakfast
table?

 

2. Who cooks breakfast?

 

3. Who clears the breakfast
table?

 

A. Who does the breakfast.
dishes?

 

5. Who sets the table for
the main meal?

 

6. Who cooks the main meal?

 

7. Who clears the table after
the main meal?

 

8. Who does the dishes after
the main meal?

 

9. Who takes care of the
garbage and trash?

 

10. Who makes the beds?

 

11. Who locks up at night?

 

12. Who mends or sews the
family's clothes?

 

13. Who fixes broken things;
such as, electrical
appliances, furniture,
toys?

 

78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CODE: 0 = No one or does not apply
1 = Father
2 = Mother
3 = Teen—age boy
A = Teen-age girl
5 = Younger children in family
6 = Other adults in family
7 = Someone other than family
Activity 0
1A. Who takes care of the yard?
15. Who takes care of the
garage?
16. Who takes care of the
cellar or basement?
17. Who cleans the living room?
18. Who cleans the kitchen?
19. Who cleans the bedroom(s)?
20. Who cleans the bathroom?
21. Who does the family wash?
22. Who does the family
ironing?
23. Who dries the family's
clothing?
2A. Who picks up and puts
away clothes?
25. Who does the painting and
redecorating inside the
home?
26. Who does the painting and
redecorating outside the
home?
27. Who takes care of pets?
28. Who washes the family car?
29. Who repairs the family car?

 

CODE:

79

No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen-age boy

Teen-age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family
Someone other than family

NmkflJ—‘WMl—‘O

Activity 0

3

A

567

 

30.

Who washes windows inside
the house?

 

31.

Who washes windows outside
the house?

 

32.

Who makes the school or
work lunches?

 

33.

Who helps with heavier
cleaning inside the house?

 

3A.

Who arranges furniture
inside the home?

 

35.

Who puts up curtains and
draperies in the home?

 

36.

Who selects the living
room furniture?

 

37.

Who changes storm windows
and screens?

 

38.

Who does carpentry work
around the house?

 

39.

Who regulates the heating
system?

 

A0.

Who gets the family up on
time in the morning?

 

Al.

Who sees that the family
gets washed and dressed
in the morning?

 

A2.

Who sees that the family
wears the right clothes
each day?

 

CODE:

80

No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen—age boy

Teen—age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family
Someone other than family

Nmmtwwl—‘O

 

Activity 0

A

5

6 7

 

A3.

Who sees that the children
and teenagers practice
good manners?

 

AA.

Who sees that the children
and teenagers get to
school on time?

 

A5.

Who tells the children and
teenagers what time to come
in at night?

 

A6.

Who cares for family mem-
bers when they are sick?

 

A7.

Who punishes the children
and teenagers when they do
something wrong?

 

A8.

Who teaches the children
right from wrong, and how
the family expects them
to behave?

 

A9.

Who helps the children
and teenagers with their
homework?

 

50.

Who sees that the children
and teenagers do their
homework?

 

51.

Who helps the teenager(s)
choose what he or she will
do after high school?

 

52.

Who gives the children
and teenagers advice?

 

81

 

CODE: 0 = No one or does not apply
1 = Father
2 = Mother
3 = Teen-age boy
A = Teen-age girl
5 = Younger children in family
6 = Other adults in family
7 = Someone other than family
Activity 0 l 2 3 A 5 6 7

 

53. Who cares for the children
and teenagers when the
parents are not at home?

 

5A. Who earns money for the
family?

 

55. Who shops for large house-
hold equipment; such as,
stove, TV, refrigerator?

 

56. Who shops for groceries?

57. Who shops for household
furniture and other home
furnishings?

 

58. Who pays the bills?

 

59. Who provides the children
and teenagers spending
money?

 

60. Who shops for clothes for
family members?

 

61. Who shops for the family's
new car?

 

62. Who plans the savings for
the family?

 

63. Who buys the household
cleaning supplies?

 

6A. Who buys father's clothes?

 

65. Who buys mother's clothes?

 

66. Who buys teenager's clothes?

 

82

 

CODE: 0 = No one or does not apply
1 = Father
2 = Mother
3 = Teen-age boy
A = Teen-age girl
5 = Younger children in family
6 = Other adults in family
7 = Someone other than family
Activity 0

 

67. Who buys the grooming
supplies?

 

68. Who goes together to
visit father's friends
and relatives?

 

69. Who goes together to visit
mother's friends and
relatives?

 

70. Who goes together on
vacations?

 

71. Who uses the living room
TV?

 

72. Who uses the family car?

 

73. Who entertains guests in
your home?

 

7A. Who goes together on out—
ings, picnics, cookouts?

 

75. Who goes together on
beach trips?

 

76. Who goes together on
camping trips?

 

77. Who goes together on Sunday
drives or drives in the
country?

 

78. Who has parties at your
house?

 

79. Who plays card at your
house?

 

83

 

CODE: 0 = No one or does not apply
1 = Father
2 = Mother
3 = Teen-age boy
A = Teen-age girl
5 = Younger children in family
6 = Other adults in family
7 = Someone other than family
Activity 0 l 2

 

80. Who belongs to church
organizations?

 

81. Who belongs to school
organizations?

 

82. Who belongs to community
organizations?

 

83. Who belongs to Sports
leagues or teams?

 

PLEASE CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE

8A

Here is the same list of home activities. In this section,
you are asked to identify the decision-maker or makers for
each activity. In the boxes below, place a check mark ( )
below each person who usually decides who does each activity.

For example: if mother decided that she will cook breakfast,
then check Mother only. If the father and mother both de-
cided that mother will cook breakfast, then check both father
and mother. This section concerns who made the decision as
to who was going to do each activity.

You may find this section difficult and time-consuming.
Please think through each activity carefully. Again, do
not discuss your answer with anyone while completing this
section.

CODE: No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen—age boy

Teen-age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family
Someone other than family

0
1
2
3
A
5
6
7

 

Who Usually Decides Who Will 0 l 2 3 A 5 6 7

 

1. Set the table for breakfast?

 

2. Cook breakfast?

 

Clear the breakfast table?

 

 

3
A. Do the breakfast dishes?
5

. Set the table for the
main meal?

 

6. Cook the main meal?

 

7. Clear the table after the
main meal?

 

8. Do the dishes after the
main meal?

 

9. Take care of the garbage
and trash?

 

10. Make the beds?

 

11. Lock up at night?

 

CODE:

NOWEWMI—‘O

85

No one or does not apply
Father

Mother
Teen—age boy
Teen-age girl
Younger children in family
Other adults in family
Someone other than family

 

Who Usually Decides Who Will

0

l

2

3

A

5 6

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

l2. Mend or sew the family's
clothes?

13. Fix broken things; such
as, electrical appliances,
toys, furniture?

1A. Take care of the yard?

15. Take care of the garage?

16. Take care of the cellar?

17. Clean the living room?

18. Clean the kitchen?

19. Clean the bedroom(s)?

20. Clean the bathroom?

21. Do the family wash?

22. Do the family ironing?

 

23. Dry the family clothes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

2A. Pick up and put aWay
clothes?

25. Do the painting and re—
decorating inside the home?

26. Do the painting and re-
decorating outside the home?

27. Take care of pets?

28. Wash the family car?

29. Repair the family car?

 

86

CODE: No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen-age boy

Teen-age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family

Someone other than family

“\IO‘xU'IJELUIUl—‘O

 

Who Usually Decides Who Will 0 l 2 3 A

567

 

30. Wash windows inside the
home?

 

31. Wash windows outside the
home?

 

32. Make school or work
lunches?

 

33. Help with heavier cleaning
inside the home?

 

3A. Arrange the furniture in
the home?

 

35. Put up curtains and
draperies?

 

36. Select the living room
furniture?

 

37. Change storm windows and
screens?

 

38. Do carpentry work around
the house?

 

39. Regulate the heating
system?

 

A0. Get the children and teen—
agers up on time in the
morning?

 

A1. See that the family mem-
bers get washed and
dressed?

 

A2. See that the family mem-
bers wear the right
clothes each day?

 

87

CODE: No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen-age boy

Teen-age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family

Someone other than family

0
l
2
3
A
5
6
7

Who Usually Decides Who Will 0

 

A3. See:that the children and
teenagers practice good
manners?

 

AA. See that the children and
teenagers get to school
on time?

 

A5. Tell the children and teen-
agers what time to come in
at night?

 

A6. Care for family members
when they are sick?

 

A7. Punish the children when
they do something wrong?

 

A8. Teach the children and
teenagers right from
wrong and how the family
expects them to behave?

 

A9. Helps the children and
teenagers with their
homework?

 

50. See that the children and
teenagers do their home-
work?

 

51. Help the teenager choose
what he or she will do
after high school?

 

52. Give the children and
teenagers advice?

 

53. Care for the children and
teenagers when the parents
are not at home?

 

88

CODE: No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen-age boy

Teen—age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family

Someone other than family

0
l
2
3
A
5
6
7

 

Who Usually Decides Who Will 0

 

5A. Earn money for the family?

 

55. Select large household
equipment; such as, stove,
TV, refrigerator?

 

56. Go to the store for
groceries?

 

57. Shop for furniture and
other home furnishings?

 

58. Pay the bills?

 

59. Provide the children and
teenagers spending money?

 

60. Shop for clothes for
family members?

 

61. Shop for the family's
new car?

 

62. Plan the savings for the
family?

 

63. Buy the household clean-
ing supplies?

 

6A. Buy the father's clothes?

 

65. Buy the mother's clothes?

 

66. Buy the teenager's clothes?

 

67. Buy the grooming supplies?

 

68. Go together to visit
father's friends and
relatives?

 

CODE:

89

No one or does not apply
Father

Mother

Teen—age boy

Teen-age girl

Younger children in family
Other adults in family
Someone other than family

 

Who Usually Decides Who Will 0

2

3A5

6

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69. Go together to visit
mother's friends and
relatives?

70. Go together on vacations?

71. Use the living room TV?

72. Use the family car?

73. Entertain guests in your
home?

7A. Go together on outings,
picnics?

75. Go together on beach trips?

76. Go together on camping
trips?

77. Go together on Sunday
drives or drives in the
country?

78. Has parties at your house?

79. Play cards at your house?

80. Belong to church organ—
izations?

81. Belong to school organ-
izations?

82. Belong to community
organizations?

83. Belong to sports leagues

or teams?

 

90

When you have completed this questionnaire, please place
it in the envelope provided. You need not put your name
on this form, but please be sure your name is on the
envelope.

Thank you for answering these questions and for helping
with this research.

Loretta A. Onorato

APPENDIX C

91

Index of Social Status—-Short Form

 

McQuire and White (11)

 

0 . . Occupation . . Rate 1 to 7 on
S . . Source of

Income . . . . Rate 1 to 7 on
E . . Education. . . Rate 1 to 7 on

00 scale . . Weight --
SI scale . . Weight --
ED scale . . Weight --

X 5

x A
x 3

 

The weights sum to 12 and the total
from 12 (high) to 8A (low) when the

index scores can range
component scores are

summed. Estimates of status in terms of social class partici-
pation and reputation are made by consulting the standard

conversion table below.

General Conversion Table for

Status Indices

 

 

Index Relative Status Social Class

Score Level Predictions
12 A+ (UC)

13—17 A Upper Class

18-22 A-

23—27 B+

28-32 B (UM)

33-37 B- Upper—middle

38-Al C+ (LM)

A2-A6 C Lower-middle

A7-51 C-

52—56 D+ (UL)

57-61 D Upper-lower

62-66 D-

67-71 E+ (LL)

72-75 E Lower—lower

76-8A E-

 

92

93

 

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95

Source of Income (SI)l

 

l. Inherited saving and investment; "old money" reputed to
provide basic income.

2. Earned wealth; "new money' has provided "transferable"
investment income.

3. Profits, fees, royalties; includes executives who re-
ceive a "share of profit."

A. Salary, commissions, regular income aid on monthly or
yearly basis.

5. Wages on hourly basis; piece-work; weekly checks as
distinguished from monthly.

6. Income from "odd jobs" or private relief: "share-
cropping" or seasonal work.

7. Public relief or charity; non—respectable income
(reputation).

Educational Attainment (ED)2

 

1. Completed appropriate graduate work for a recognized
profession at highest level; graduate of a generally
recognized, high status, four-year college.

2. Graduate from a four-year college, university, or
professional school with a recognized bachelor's
degree, including four-year teacher colleges.

3. Attended college or university for two or more years;
junior college graduate; teacher education from a
normal school; R.N. from a nursing school.

 

1The kind of income appears to be more important

than the amount and, in general the reputed major source of
income is symbolic of placement in the community. In the
case of a widow, the SI and 00 are that of the deceased
husband. Investment, insurance, pensions, security bene—
fits, et al. are rated by the SI which made them,possib1e
unless considerable wealth ("1" or "2") is reputed. Other
components correct for seeming discrepancies.

gActual education attained probably is not as impor-
tant as the education a person is reputed to have. The
same scale is used to rate aspiration.

96

Graduate from high school or completed equivalent
secondary education; includes various kinds of
"post—high" business education or trade school study.

Attended high school, completed grade nine, but did
not graduate from high school, for persons born prior
to 1900, grade eight completed.

Completed grade eight but did not attend beyond grade
nine; for persons born prior to 1900 grades four to
seven would be equivalent.

Left elementary or junior high school before com-
pleting grade eight; for persons born prior to 1900,
no education or attendance to grade three.

APPENDIX D

97

Structures of Family Management

Autonomous-~any one family member made the decision and
he (she) alone implemented it. Independence
and autonomy characterized this structure.

Examples:

1. The husband decided and implemented.
2. The teen—age girl decided and implemented.
3. The teen-age boy decided and implemented.

Autocratic--any one family member made the decision; any
other(s) implemented the decision, or the
decision-maker and others implemented it.

Examples:

1. The husband decided; the wife implemented.

2. The wife decided; the husband and wife
implemented.

3. The teen-age girl decided; the wife
implemented.

Syncratic—-any two or more family members made the decision;
and they or any one else implemented that de—
cision. Joint decision-making characterized

this structure.

Examples:

1. The husband and wife made the decision
together; and the children implemented it.

2. The husband and wife made the decision
together; and they implemented it either
alone or with their children.

3. The husband and wife made the decision
together; and someone other than a family
member implemented it.

98