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Economic determinants of family development processes
Author(s) -
MARLOWE JULIA,
SPROLES GEORGE B.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of consumer studies and home economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.775
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1470-6431
pISSN - 0309-3891
DOI - 10.1111/j.1470-6431.1986.tb00109.x
Subject(s) - conceptual framework , conceptual model , family and consumer science , family life , development theory , positive economics , sociology , economic growth , economics , social science , psychology , epistemology , socioeconomics , philosophy , mathematics education
Economic activities of families have important influences on processes of family development and family change over time. Knowledge of these special relations has expanded in recent years, as has the literature on the economics of family life as a general field. As a result, scholars and professionals in consumer studies and home economics need conceptual frameworks that organize areas of specific findings and identify specific issues for research. A conceptual framework which identifies four economic activities performed by families and six fundamental family development and family change processes is proposed. Then, a matrix of testable hypotheses is formulated, emphasizing economic activities as independent variables in family development and change. The matrix portrays the central roles economic influences play in contemporary family life, and suggests a complete, holistic understanding of these influences. The matrix also provides a conceptual guide to the design of empirical research and synthesis of findings on the economics–family development interface.