Listening Between Grown Children and Their Parents

With much listening research centered on problems in business and academic settings, listening in families has received less emphasis. This research project explored the perceptions of listening in a family environment. Interviews were conducted with a total of 85 participants, adult children who had children of their own and "still active" parents of adult children. They were asked to assess listening effectiveness in the parent/child relationships and to give reasons for their assessments. Several problems and reasons emerged, especially when specified controversial topics were involved. Some good listener techniques were also identified. In addition to the report on the research process, the authors have begun to formulate a set of principles for effective listening in the family context.