Socialization values across Europe

This study presents research findings on preferences regarding children’s qualities among nationals of the European countries participating in the World Values Survey 2006. The respondents were asked to chose up to five children’s qualities which they considered as the most important for children to learn at home from their parents.. The theoretical framework of the survey focuses on the theory of modernisation and post-modernisation (Ronald Inglehart, 1995, 1997). Cluster analysis identified two patterns each containing five significantly linked characteristics of children. The preferred images of children in Europe vary on the continuum from the traditional-religious pattern of children's characteristics to the post-modern The preferences are significantly linked with the percentages of “materialists” and “postmaterialists”, as well as with per capita gross national product (GNP) and with the level of income inequality in the societies (GINI index).