Do Family Structure and Functioning Matter for Ethical and Moral Values?
29 Pages Posted: 7 Jul 2020 Last revised: 10 Dec 2021
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: Suggested Citation