Stanislavskaia,
Marina (1/08) A comparison of children’s autonomy in American and Russian
cultures (Marina Stanislavskaia; Rhiannon Allen, Ph.D.; Joan Duncan, Ph.D.;
Roger Frie, Ph.D.)
The aim of this study was to
examine behavioral autonomy and individualistic values in children and
adolescents across two cultures. Participants (aged 10 to 15 years) were
recruited from the United States and Russia. Findings did not entirely support
previous research studies, which found that parents and children in countries
with strong individualistic tendencies had earlier expectations of behavioral
autonomy. In this study, Russian children reported overall higher behavioral
autonomy. In addition, findings also did not support previous research literature
on individualism and collectivism in American and Russian societies. There were
no differences in American and Russian children's endorsement of beliefs and
values related to individualism. However, there was a significant positive
relationship between behavioral autonomy and children's endorsement of
individualistic values, which is congruent with prior empirical evidence.
Lastly, boys scored higher on the Social Behavior with Peers, Initiative and
Independence, and Rebelliousness subscales, whereas girls obtained higher
scores on the Responsibility subscale. The results are discussed in the context
of the individualism and collectivism theory, as well as demographic,
socioeconomic, and cultural factors.
