Economic socialization in children in a midwestern American community

This study is part of an international program of research involving fifteen countries. The goal of the research program is to advance international understanding of economic socialization in children. This study attempts to describe and understand this process in American children aged 8, 11 and 14. In-depth interviews were used to learn about economic understanding, economic reasoning and economic attitudes in 87 children living in a midwestern town. Analysis of the interview data indicated that economic socialization is indeed a reality in that sophistication increased with age.