An exploratory study investigating a group of South African children's economic socialization and understanding : a comparison between two social classes

Abstract

Bibliography: leaves p. 146-156.The purpose of this study was to collect data pertaining to South African children's economic socialization. A paucity of systematic and comprehensive work exists in this field in general, and as regards South African research, the only attempt to investigate children's economic socialization is an unpublished honours thesis (Robinson, 1983). For this reason broad aims and exploratory research hypotheses were formulated. A total of 108 children took part in this study. (Fifty-four were from a working class background and 54 were from a middle class background). An equal number of children were selected from the following age groups: 4-4 years and 11 months; 5-5 years and 11 months; 6-6 years and 11 months; 7-7 years and 11 months; 10-10 years and 11 months; and 11-11 years and 11 months. As regards the school going children an equal number were selected from the above average, average and below average level of schooling achievement. Children were classified into one of the latter three categories on the basis of their performances in their two most recent school examinations