Intergenerational eco-education : an exploration of child influence or parental environmental behaviour

Abstract

This research investigates the nature of the influences children have on their parents' environmental behaviour following involvement in a week long environmental education experience. Using the grounded theory method, children and their mothers were interviewed about their ideas about the ways they felt the children influenced their parents. Four of the five children interviewed reported that they influenced their parents, citing examples of environmental action in the home as an area of influence. Similarly, the majority of parents felt their environmental knowledge and behavior was influenced by their children. What appear to be barriers to effective child-to-parent influence communication are explored, including aspects of program enjoyment and relationships between family members. The theme of child confidence and its relationship to child-to-adult influence is also considered. Areas for future research are identified, including a recommendation for research into the child-to-father influence relationship.