Family models as a mirror of cultural values

Family relations and related value orientations lie at the heart of broader cultural syndromes. Family Change Theory (FCT) suggests that cultural change is mirrored in changing family models. Two dimensions of interdependencies within families are differentiated: material and emotional. Strong material interdependencies often correspond to patriarchal family relationships with restricted autonomy for those low in the hierarchy. Loose emotional interdependencies are typical for an independent family model focused on personal autonomy. According to FCT, an ideal family model emphasizes both autonomy and relatedness. Our research identified cross-cultural family value patterns representing the FCT ideal-typical family models on a global level. Furthermore, a recent study comparing German-, French- and Italian-speaking parts of Switzerland and bordering nations showed that FCT allows distinguishing cultural value patterns across Western European cultures beyond the individualism-collectivism dimension. The need for considering the family dimension in cross-cultural research is discussed