Political families: Comparing attitudes of groups, fathers, mothers and adolescents of state legislature families

Emily Malti Wadsworth, Purdue University

Abstract

The present study tested the hypotheses that political family life attitudes would not be significantly different between fathers who were state legislators and mothers who were the spouses of state legislators, however, these attitudes would be significantly different when comparing either fathers or mothers with adolescents who were the children of state legislators. The study also explored the impact of individual demographics and political career involvements on the political family life attitudes of these three family member groups. A nonprobability sample of 420 subjects participated in the study. There were 218 fathers, 151 mothers and 51 adolescents who completed computer surveys at the 1987 National Conference for State Legislatures held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Results of multivariate analyses of variance and univariate post hoc comparisons using the Scheffe procedure indicated that statistically significant differences existed in the mean scores for political family life attitudes for family member groups. When comparing fathers and mothers, fathers had a more positive attitude about political campaigning while mothers appreciated more the work of elected officials and they felt better about the amount of attention legislators had given to their families. Considering fathers and youth, adolescents were more likely to indicate that serving in public office was a financial drain, whereas, fathers were more prone to indicate that they rarely had opportunities to relax and that their friendships had changed. Reflecting on mothers and youth, mothers had a greater need to excel and media coverage of political activities was more stressful to them. Findings from standard multiple regression analyses revealed that personal characteristics explained ten percent or less of the variance in participant's mean scores for attitude components. Employment area and age were significant predictors of the belief component and annual income was a significant predictor of the behavior component of attitudes, for fathers. Otherwise, individual demographics and political career involvements did not have significant relationships with beliefs, feelings or behaviors, the three components of attitudes. Implications for future research work and ideas for intervention programs with political families were discussed.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Figley, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology|Public administration

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