Do Family Structure and Functioning Matter for Ethical and Moral Values?

29 Pages Posted: 7 Jul 2020 Last revised: 10 Dec 2021

See all articles by Harvey S. James, Jr.

Harvey S. James, Jr.

University of Missouri at Columbia - Division of Applied Social Sciences

Damilola Giwa-Daramola

University of Missouri at Columbia - Division of Applied Social Sciences

Date Written: December 1, 2021

Abstract

Because family and the beliefs and values of people are important aspects of economic institutions, family structure and functioning might affect the values of family members. Two specific types of values are relevant to economic performance: ethical values and moral values. Data from the World Values Survey are used in a cross-country study to determine if there is a correlation between values and the structure and functioning of families. Generally, traditional family structures—married households—and households with a high level of family functioning are less tolerant of unethical conduct and have more restrictive moral values than other household structures and households with weak levels of family functioning. The findings point to the continuing importance of the family as an economic institution in society.

Keywords: Ethical values; moral values; family structure; family functioning; World Values Survey

JEL Classification: D02, D91, J12, O43

Suggested Citation

James, Harvey S. and Giwa-Daramola, Damilola, Do Family Structure and Functioning Matter for Ethical and Moral Values? (December 1, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3625224 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3625224

Harvey S. James (Contact Author)

University of Missouri at Columbia - Division of Applied Social Sciences ( email )

Columbia, MO
United States
573-884-9682 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://hsjames2.wordpress.com

Damilola Giwa-Daramola

University of Missouri at Columbia - Division of Applied Social Sciences ( email )

United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
99
Abstract Views
531
Rank
482,506
PlumX Metrics