Agreement between generations: a two-process approach

This paper proposes that studies across generations call for (a) a distinction between perceived agreement and actual agreement and (b) considering 2 processes: the perception of the position taken by the other generation, and the acceptance/rejection of that position. Also proposed are differential effects from various factors (e. g., agreement between parents affecting mainly accuracy of perception, vested interests, and warmth of parent-child relationships affecting acceptance). These proposals are related to the views of mothers, fathers, and their adolescent firstborns on important qualities for children to develop and occupational aspirations. To separate family transmission effects from generational similarities in culture, the sample consists of 2 groups: (a) both parents and children Australian-born; (b) parents Italian-born, children Australian-born.