Family structure and influence in family decision making

Reports on a study which examines the effect of family structure in the family decision‐making process. In particular, it seeks to determine if sex‐role orientation and the wives’ occupational status make a difference in the amount of influence adolescents and their parents have in family purchase decisions. This study uses an observational approach to measure the amount of influence displayed by all members of the family in the purchase decision. Observational data is derived from videotaped recordings of family interactions during a simulated decision‐making situation. The results reported here support the comparative resource contribution theory; mothers who contribute to the provision of their families have significant influence. Further, the amount of influence exerted by adolescents is found to be dependent on their families’ sex‐role orientation and their mothers’ occupational status.