The Young Child's Developing Concept of Family

Purposes were (a) to determine the usefulness of classifying children's perceptions accord ing to eight dimensions of “family,” and (b) to examine the effects of sex and family type on children's perceptions of “family” structure and family roles. The sample of 84 preschool children was stratified by geographical location, sex, and family type. Each subject was classified as “pre‐operational” on a Piagetian‐based cognitive developmental level test. Data were obtained from individual verbatim taped interviews of subjects' responses to the Family Concept Interview, containing items related to concepts of family structure, dimensions of family and family roles, and flexibility of family roles. Major hypotheses were tested by analysis of variance. No significant effects due to sex of child were found. Generally, two‐parent and one‐parent children had similar perceptions and appeared to be defining family in much the same way. There was some support for the hypothesis that one‐parent children may be less concerned with co‐residence and membership, or “who lives together.” Results indicated children's responses can be classified according to dimensions of “family.” Dimensions most salient for pre‐operational children were “membership,”“biology,”“domestic functions,” and “guidance.” For children of both family types, family composition appears to be defined normatively as at least two parents and a child.