Social structural effects upon parental control of adolescents

This study considers the influence of social structural variables upon perceived parental control of adolescents. Specifically, it examines the effects of gender, race, educational level of the parents, residential location, and religion, as each influences parental control.

Using the 1984 data of the Monitoring the Future Project, conducted by Jerald G. Bachman, Lloyd D. Johnston, and Patrick M. O'Malley, this study uses the perspective of differential socialization to predict variance in perceived parental control within each of the social structural categories. Unlike previous research, this study investigated parental control during late adolescence. Through zero-order correlations, means, and multiple regression analyses, the study found that the gender of the adolescent and educational level of the parents showed the only significant effects. It is concluded that parental control diminishes during late adolescence and is perceived accordingly.