In a revealing study by researchers from the University of Missouri and the University of Chicago, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, significant insights emerged regarding child-rearing practices and their long-term implications. The researchers surveyed 701 individuals, delving into their childhood experiences, particularly focusing on the rewards and punishments they encountered during formative years.
The findings challenge conventional parenting wisdom. As reported by Good Housekeeping, the study found that children who received material gifts as incentives for good behavior or as expressions of parental love were more likely to become materialistic adults, prioritizing possessions over more meaningful values.
Education expert, Dr. Samuel Wright, noted that over two decades ago, external rewards tend to have counterproductive effects. For instance, while a punishment for failing to achieve a certain academic grade may generate short-term compliance, it does not foster a genuine desire to learn. Similarly, if a child is rewarded with a treat for studying, they may abandon their studies once the rewards cease.
The article in Good Housekeeping, titled “How to Foster Grounded Values in Your Child, According to Science,” emphasizes the difficulty in quantifying attributes like being “down to earth.” Nevertheless, most parents aspire to cultivate intrinsic values in their children—such as a love for learning or visiting family—rather than motivating them through material gain. By offering consumer items as rewards, parents inadvertently suggest that material possessions hold greater value than the experiences of learning or achievement.
According to study authors, Dr. Marsha L. Richins and Dr. Lan Nguyen Chaplin, using material goods to show affection or to reward accomplishments can have unintended consequences. Even well-intentioned parents may inadvertently nurture materialistic tendencies in their children, contradicting their aim to promote fulfillment derived from non-materialistic sources.
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Summary
The research highlights potential pitfalls of using material rewards for children, suggesting that such practices may lead to materialism in adulthood. Instead, fostering intrinsic motivation and valuing experiences over possessions is crucial for healthy development.