Trends in Parental Socialization Values: Detroit, 1958-1983

Using data from sample surveys of the Detroit metropolitan area carried out in 1958, 1971, and 1983, this paper examines patterns of change in parental socialization values over time. There is a clear and consistent increase during this period in the valuation of autonomy for children and a decrease in preferences for obedience. Important differences in the extent of change are observed among Catholics. The sources of these changing characteristics of Detroit families, particularly changing levels of education. Only about 25%-30% of the differential change among religio-ethnic categories can be attributed to such factors. Apart from these considerations, the changing alues of Detroit Catholics are nonetheless significant, and these trends are interpreted as the major source of aggregate social change observed in the Detroit surveys. These results are consistent with other evidence regarding the recent historical movement of Catholics away from what are often considered traditional definitions of family relationships. In addition, the results of this analysis suggest that, although education consistently affects parental values across time, occupation may be declining in its importance as a determinant of those values.