According to the study conducted by Gallup Organization, only a minority
of Americans experience consistent normative motivation for engaging
with other people's children. Social norms theory suggests that adults
are more likely to get deeply involved if that involvement is viewed as
highly important, and if they perceive a social expectation to do so.
This volume examines the nature of social norms in general and in
relationship to children and adolescents. The book examines the complex
dynamics of understanding the appropriate roles of parents and other
adults in young people's healthy development. The volume also presents
the study's findings in detail, including numerous areas of consensus
among American adults, differences among American adults, and the gap
between perceived importance and actual engagement. A wide-ranging
literature synthesis suggests implications for both personal and
collective actions with potential to change norms that inhibit
engagement and to strengthen values that encourage engagement.
Other People's Kids is a valuable reference for developmental
psychologists, child psychologists, school and community psychologists,
practitioners, administrators and policymakers.