Perceived parental acceptance as a moderator of religious transmission among adolescent boys and girls

Using a sample of 407 families living in rural areas of North Central Iowa, this study examines religious transmission between same-sex and cross-sex parent-child groups. The analyses focus on the mechanisms through which ado lescents' perceptions of parental acceptance moderate the transmission of r eligions beliefs and practices. Results show that both fathers and mothers played important roles in transmitting religious beliefs and practices to t heir sons and daughters. Mothers' influence was stranger than fathers' when the adolescents perceived the parent as accepting. This effect was especia lly strong for sons.