Class, gender, and parental values in the 1990s

Previous research documents a persistent relationship between social class and parental values. Middle-class parents are more likely to emphasize auto nomy, and working-class parents are more likely to stress conformity in chi ldren. More recent literature, however suggests a gender difference in the effects of class on values. Feminist scholarship also claims a gender gap i n fundamental value orientations. Drawing data from the U.S. sample in the World Values Survey this research examines the intersections of class and g ender as they influence parental values in the 1990s. The findings suggest that while social class continues to be a source of the valuation of autono my and conformity in children, gender also conditions parental values. Spec ifically women in advantaged social positions value autonomy much more than their male counterparts. Contrary to feminist theory, however gender is no t linked to care-oriented values. Sources and implications of the findings are discussed.